cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Access to health care and current health status: do physicians matter?

A number of studies examine the link between access to medical care and health status. Previous studies find little or no relationship between the availability of health care and health status. We examine the issue separately for metropolitan and rural areas. We find that the number of physicians in a county has a positive influence on the health status of individuals in rural areas. Also, older people benefit more from the presence of physicians than younger people. Consistent with previous studies, no clear relationship is found in metropolitan areas. These results support several United States government programmes that encourage physicians to locate in rural areas.
Voriconazole suppresses the growth of Leishmania species in vitro

The digenetic protozoan Leishmania is dependent on ergosterol synthesis for growth and viability. We compared the in vitro activity of ergosterol synthesis inhibitor voriconazole with fluconazole and ketoconazole against cutaneous and visceral Leishmania species. We found the IC50 of voriconazole was comparable to ketoconazole and both were superior to fluconazole. Both ketoconazole and voriconazole were active against insect and mammalian stage parasites. This is the first report of the in vitro activity of voriconazole against leishmanial species.
Genotoxic effects of a sub-acute low-level inhalation exposure to a mixture of carcinogenic chemicals

A study was conducted using a combined testing protocol (CTP), to determine whether short-term biological end-points, singly or in combination, are sufficiently sensitive to identify damage induced by exposure to ambient levels of industrial chemicals. A small-scale inhalation set-up which is both economical and easy to assemble was designed. Mice were exposed to 4 concentrations of a custom-blend mixture of benzene, chloroprene, epichlorohydrin and xylene in a ratio of 2:2:1:2, respectively. The concentrations for benzene, chloroprene and xylene were 0, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 ppm each. Concentrations for epichlorohydrin were half those for the other components. Groups of 22 males and 22 female mice were exposed to each concentration of the mixture for 3 and 6 weeks. Selected biological end-points including urine mutagenesis, bone marrow cell aberrations and micronuclei, spleen lymphocyte aberrations and liver enzyme induction were monitored. The spleen lymphocyte aberrations and liver enzyme induction were the most sensitive end-points. The lymphocytes showed a significant induction of chromosome aberrations from exposure for 3 weeks to all 3 concentrations of the mixtures. After 6 weeks of exposure, significant induction of aberrations was observed after exposure to low and medium concentrations but not to the high concentration. This lack of response at the high concentration after 6 weeks exposure, appeared to correlate with a significant induction of glutathione S-transferase in the liver. Since this enzyme is known to detoxify 3 of the 4 chemicals in our mixture, it may indicate a detoxification mechanism after enzyme induction. The present study indicates that the CTP is sufficiently sensitive to identify toxicological effects after exposure to ambient levels of a gas mixture.
Derivation of geometric stiffness and mass matrices for finite element hybrid models

Abstract An unifying approach in deriving the geometric stiffness and mass matrices for finite element hybrid models is presented. The variational formulation is based on a modified Reissner Principle. Numerical verification is illustrated through a simple beam example. The element interchangeability in the finite element method and an alternative way of deriving the loading vector for the hybrid stress model are also discussed.
Magnetic Spirals in the Molecular Field Approximation

We consider a Bravais lattice of spins interacting via isotropic exchange with arbitrary interaction parameters. Villain has shown that the free energy, in the molecular field approximation (MFA), is a local minimum when the spin configuration is a simple spiral. It is possible to prove, however, by a method analogous to that of Luttinger and Tisza, that the simple spiral provides an absolute minimum to the free energy in the MFA. This result rules out the possibility of obtaining with the MFA any phase transition in such a system, except at the ordering temperature.
Liquid-waveguide spectrophotometric measurement of low silicate in natural waters

Abstract This paper describes a robust, sensitive method for measurement of low silicate in natural water. The method is based on the reaction of silicate with ammonium molybdate to form a yellow silicomolybdate complex, which is then reduced to silicomolybdenum blue by ascorbic acid. This method shows no refractive index effect and a small salinity effect that can be corrected for seawater samples. It was found that the use of poly-vinyl alcohol can prevent the precipitation formation in the ammonium molybdate solution and improve the stability of the silicomolybdenum blue complex. The sensitivity of this method is substantially enhanced by using a liquid-waveguide capillary cell. The detection limit is 0.1 μM, and working range is 0.1–10 μM for using 2-m liquid-waveguide capillary cell (LWCC). The method can be used for both freshwater and seawater samples and has been used to study the distribution of silicate in surface seawater of Gulf Stream in Florida straight.
Glycosylation Affects Translocation of Integrin, Src, and Caveolin into or out of GEM

Endogenous GM3 synthesis and full N-glycosylation in membrane receptors occurred in "4-epimerase-less" ldlD (Krieger's CHO mutant) cells cultured in Gal-containing medium, whereby components of detergent-insoluble, low-density, buoyant membrane fraction, termed "glycolipid-enriched microdomain (GEM)," varied significantly by translocation into or out of GEM. Integrins alpha3 and alpha5 were translocated into GEM in the presence of 0.5 or 0.25% Triton X-100, particularly in the absence of Gal, whereby integrins are underglycosylated and GlcCer is the major glycolipid component in GEM. Src family kinase was translocated into and enriched in GEM fractions when prepared in 0.5 or 0.25% Triton X-100 from cells grown in Gal-containing medium, whereby GM3 synthesis is induced. In contrast, caveolin is highly enriched in GEM when GM3 synthesis does not occur, and is translocated into high-density membrane fraction when GM3 synthesis occurs. The results suggest that levels of key molecules controlling cell adhesion and signaling are defined by translocation into or out of GEM, which depends on glycosylation state.
Mac-1 mediates migration to lymph nodes

Comment on Cao et al, page [3234][1] Bacterial lipopolysaccharide induces macrophages to migrate from inflamed tissues to lymph nodes using the adhesion molecule Mac-1. Cell migration requires attachments to cells and matrix by adhesion molecules. Mac-1, also known as CD11b/CD18, αMβ2 integrin
Fitting Hearing Aids to Individual Loudness-perception Measures

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the prescribed gain, compression ratios, compression thresholds, and the relative predicted speech intelligibility (Speech Intelligibility Index [SII], American National Standards Institute 3.79, proposed) provided by four strategies proposed for selecting hearing aid parameters for low-threshold compression hearing instruments and by a traditional threshold-based hearing aid fitting procedure. The strategies used were Desired Sensation Level Input/Output (DSL TM [i/o]; Cornelisse, Seewald, & Jamieson, 1994), Visual Input-Output Locator Algorithm (VIOLA; Cox, 1994), FIG6 strategy (Killion, Reference Note 2), Ricketts and Bentler strategy (RAB), and a threshold-based hearing aid fitting procedure (National Acoustics Laboratories-Revised [NAL-R]; Byrne & Dillion, 1986). These new strategies have been suggested as alternatives to threshold-based strategies, which do not provide the varying amounts of target gain, as a function of input level, necessary to fit low-threshold compression hearing aids. Design: The electroacoustic prescriptions and the predicted speech intelligibility were calculated across all five fitting strategies for 20 subjects. The threshold and loudness growth information used for each fitting was reported previously (Ricketts & Bentler, in press). Results: Comparison across prescriptions revealed that the NAL-R strategy (due to the linear gain provided) prescribed the least gain for low-level inputs and the greatest gain for high-level inputs. Gain comparisons across fitting by loudness (FBL) strategies revealed a more shallow frequency response slope for strategies that require individual measures of loudness growth (RAB, VIOLA) in comparison with strategies that assumed average data (FIG6, DSL TM [i/o]). SII results revealed greater predicted speech intelligibility for the FIG6 and the DSL TM [i/o] compared with the NAL-R, RAB, and VIOLA. These differences were most apparent in noise backgrounds and least evident when loudness differences were minimized. Conclusions: It appears that differences in SII scores across the FBL fitting strategies are due, in part, to differences in the loudness of the output signal. It is assumed that differences in high-frequency shaping may also be a factor. These data do not appear to support the use of additional clinical time to obtain individual loudness growth measures. However, due to the fact that SII results are based on average performance, it is difficult to predict whether differences across these fitting strategies would be realized in actual measures of speech intelligibility or sound quality on an individual basis.
Airborne transmission of influenza virus infection in mice.

THE mode of transmission of influenza has been the subject of great controversy1. Human volunteers can be experimentally infected by dropping infected fluids into the nasopharynx2, by inhalation of finely atomized liquid suspension3, or by inhalation of room air into which virus has been introduced by aerosol spray4. However, there is no direct evidence to prove whether epidemic or pandemic influenza is spread by direct contact by large droplets, or by finely dispersed airborne droplet nuclei.
Targeting the Immune System as a Therapeutic Strategy for Patients with Breast Cancer

The immune system plays an important role in the development and growth of some cancers. Therefore, modulation of the immune system by activation of factors that stimulate an anti-tumor response and/or inhibition of factors that suppress an anti-tumor response could result in tumor regression. Vaccines, antibodies, and other factors, especially those that impact on T lymphocyte and dendritic cell activity, may enhance an anti-tumor response. The combination of immunotherapeutic agents with each other and their integration with standard treatment regimens, such as chemotherapy, may be important to achieving optimal clinical results. The design of these clinical studies must consider the unique aspects of immune modulating agents. Despite multiple challenges, targeting the immune system has great potential as a therapeutic strategy for patients with breast cancer.
Environmental stress cracking of polyethylene: Temperature effect

Polyethylene was drawn at temperatures ranging from 30° to 60°C in aggressive and nonaggressive environments. Fibrillation was found to occur in the aggressive environment, and this effect increased with temperature. The temperature effect was more prominent at lower strain rates. Thin films drawn in aggressive environments deformed inhomogeneously. Again, this effect was found to increase with increasing temperatures. Single crystal deformation was also found to be inhomogeneous, and “solvation” of the amorphous surface layer occurred in the presence of the aggressive environment. Infrared measurements of sorption under different loads indicated that there is an increase in the amount of sorbed materials with increasing load. Dynamic mechanical studies revealed the intracrystalline regions to be affected preferentially.
Male fertility and 2n pollen production in haploid-wild species hybrids

Hybrids (2n = 2x = 24) from crosses between Group Tuberosum haploids (2n = 2x = 24) and 24-chromosome, wild species must be fertile and produce 2n gametes if they are to be used in breeding schemes involving sexual polyploidization. Male fertility of the 2x hybrids depends primarily on the species parent. Hybrids involvingS. berthaultii, S. chacoense, S. kurtzianum, S. spegazzinii, andS. tarijense as parents are male fertile. The haploid parents are male sterile, so the species not only contribute genetic diversity and desirable traits, but also genes necessary for male fertility.S. infundibuliforme, S. raphanifolium, andS. sanctae-rosae parents produced male sterile hybrid progeny, while use ofS. boliviense, S. bukasovii, S. canasense, S. microdontum, andS. sparsipilum results in families containing both fertile and sterile plants. Sterility may be due to interactions between Tuberosum cytoplasm and dominant nuclear genes from the species. Genetic male sterility and environmental conditions may also be responsible for low pollen stainability in some hybrids. Many fertile, 2x hybrids produce 2n pollen. Selection for 2n pollen in the species is fast and efficient, but meiotic analysis is required in male sterile haploids. Fortunately, selection in the species parent alone results in a large number of 2n pollen-producing hybrids. These 2x hybrids have been used to generate tetraploids via 4x × 2x crosses.
Mutagenesis of CP43-arginine-357 to serine reveals new evidence for (bi)carbonate functioning in the water oxidizing complex of Photosystem II.

The chlorophyll-binding protein CP43 is an inner subunit of the Photosystem II (PSII) reaction center core complex of all oxygenic photoautotrophs. X-Ray structural evidence places the guanidinium cation of the conserved arginine 357 residue of CP43 within a few Angstroms to the Mn4Ca cluster of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC) and has been implicated as a possible carbonate binding site. To test the hypothesis, the serine mutant, CP43-R357S, from Synechocystis PCC 6803 was investigated by PSII variable fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and simultaneous flash O2 yield measurements in cells and thylakoid membranes. The R357S mutant assembles PSII-WOC centers, but is unable to grow photoautotrophically. Reconstitution of O2 evolution by photoactivation and the occurrence of period-four oscillations of Fv/Fm establishes that the R357S mutant contains an assembled Mn4Ca cluster, but turnover is impaired as seen by an 11-fold larger Kok double miss parameter and faster decay of upper S states. Using pulsed light to avoid photoinactivation, wild-type cells and thylakoid membranes exhibit a 2–4-fold loss in O2 evolution rate upon partial bicarbonate depletion under multiple turnover conditions, while the R357S mutant is unaffected by bicarbonate. Arginine R357 appears to function in binding a (bi)carbonate ion essential to normal catalytic turnover of the WOC. The quantum yield of electron donation from the WOC into PSII increases with decreasing turnover rate in R357S mutant cells and involves an aborted two-flash pathway that is distinct from the classical four-flash pattern. We speculate that an altered photochemical mechanism for O2 production occurs via formation of hydrogen peroxide, by analogy to other treatments that retard the kinetics of proton release into the lumen.
CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins are required for granulopoiesis independent of their induction of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor.

Potential redundancy among members of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family in myeloid cells is indicated by the ability of C/EBPβ to replace C/EBPα in vivo, by the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR) on C/EBPα−/− cell lines, and by our finding that as with C/EBPα–estrogen receptor (C/EBPα-ER), either C/EBPβ-ER or C/EBPδ-ER can induce terminal granulopoiesis in 32D cl3 cells. To assess the consequences of globally inhibiting C/EBPs, we employed KαER, containing a Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) transrepression domain, the C/EBPα DNA-binding domain, and an ER ligand-binding domain. C/EBPs have a common DNA-binding consensus, and activation of KαER repressed transactivation by endogenous C/EBPs 50-fold and reduced endogenous G-CSFR expression. In 32D cl3 cells coexpressing exogenous G-CSFR, activation of KαER prevented and even reversed myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and C/EBPe RNA induction by G-CSF. In contrast, induction of PU.1 and CD11b, a gene regulated by PU.1 but not by C/EBPs, was unaffected. A KαER variant incapable of binding DNA owing to an altered leucine zipper did not affect 32D cl3 differentiation. Transduction of KαER into murine hematopoietic progenitor cells suppressed the formation of granulocyte colony-forming units, even in cytokines that enable C/EBPα−/−progenitors to differentiate into neutrophils. The formation of macrophage and of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units were also inhibited, but erythroid burst-forming units grew normally. Thus, in 32D cl3 cells and perhaps normal progenitors, C/EBPs are required for granulopoiesis beyond their ability to induce receptors for G-CSF and other cytokines. One requisite activity may be activation of the C/EBPe gene by C/EBPα, as either C/EBPα-ER or C/EBPβ-ER rapidly elevated C/EBPe RNA in 32D cl3 cells in the presence of cycloheximide but not actinomycin D.
Evaluation of a Four-Story Reinforccd Concrete Building Damaged during the Northridge Earthquake

Abstract A four‐story reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure damaged during the Northridge Earthquake was evaluated to determine if punching shear failures that occurred at interior slab‐column connections could be post‐calculated using analytical methods. The building was evaluated using: 1) a code level strength analysis, 2) a static nonlinear (“pushover”) analysis, and 3) a dynamic nonlinear response analysis using ground motions recorded within 1 km (0.6 mi.) of the building. Based on design material properties and field observations, both the static and dynamic nonlinear analyses were able to successfully post‐calculate the observed punching shear failures.
The 2010 Citizens Clean Elections Voter Education Guide: Constructing the "Illegal Immigrant" in the Arizona Voter

This “essay” (article) is a close and critical look at The 2010 Citizens Clean Elections Voter Education Guide, a document made available to the Arizona public prior to the 2010 state General elections. Though the guide is described as “a nonpartisan, plain-language handbook” by its authors, it can be implicated in the production and reproduction of a discursive process that further constructs a degraded notion of both undocumented individuals and immigration. Many of the politicians that published statements in the guide continually associate undocumented immigrants and immigration with both the use of firearms and with crime in general. Additionally, I find that the majority of politicians in this document perpetuate this demeaning, violent, and inaccurate discourse for personal political gain. In conclusion, I argue for the expanded role of education concerning the effects of discursive forces in the United States.
Microbial bioproducts from cheese whey through fermentation with wastewater sludge Clostridium isolates

We demonstrated the production of hydrogen, ethanol, and a variety of acids by several Clostridium species using cheese whey as substrate. These species were isolated from the anaerobic sediments of a municipal wastewater stabilization pond. Eight isolates were obtained and all were classified taxonomically as Clostridium spp. based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Sludge isolates showed maximum bioproduct production yields and productivities after approximately 24 h of batch cultivation with 6% (m/v) cheese whey. Fermentation byproducts measured included hydrogen, ethanol, acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid. The maximum yields of bioproducts were 0.59 mol H(2)/mol lactose, 0.071 g ethanol/g, 0.204 g acetic acid/g, 0.218 g butyric acid/g, and 0.144 g lactic acid/g. The production of these high value biofuels and biofuel intermediates from cheese whey could have significant implications for conversion of waste to high value bioproducts to enhance domestic energy economies.
DksA Is Required for Growth Phase-Dependent Regulation, Growth Rate-Dependent Control, and Stringent Control of fis Expression in Escherichia coli

DksA is a critical transcription factor in Escherichia coli that binds to RNA polymerase and potentiates control of rRNA promoters and certain amino acid promoters. Given the kinetic similarities between rRNA promoters and the fis promoter (Pfis), we investigated the possibility that DksA might also control transcription from Pfis. We show that the absence of dksA extends transcription from Pfis well into the late logarithmic and stationary growth phases, demonstrating the importance of DksA for growth phase-dependent regulation of fis. We also show that transcription from Pfis increases with steady-state growth rate and that dksA is absolutely required for this regulation. In addition, both DksA and ppGpp are required for inhibition of Pfis promoter activity following amino acid starvation, and these factors act directly and synergistically to negatively control Pfis transcription in vitro. DksA decreases the half-life of the intrinsically short-lived fis promoter-RNA polymerase complex and increases its sensitivity to the concentration of CTP, the predominant initiating nucleotide triphosphate for this promoter. This work extends our understanding of the multiple factors controlling fis expression and demonstrates the generality of the DksA requirement for regulation of kinetically similar promoters.
ABO‐incompatible organ and bone marrow transplantation: current status

Despite the presence of preformed antibodies against AB oligosaccharide epitopes on the donor vascular endothelium, approximately one-third of ABO-incompatible organ allografts are not rejected by a humoral mechanism. With the growing immune-manipulation of the recipient, survival rates can be raised considerably, although they remain significantly inferior to those of ABO-compatible transplantation. Data from the Collaborative Transplant Study indicate a 1-year graft survival rate of approximately 50-60% following cadaveric ABO-incompatible kidney, liver or heart transplantation, compared with 70-80% for an ABO-compatible organ. The results for infants and young children, however, are very much better than those of adults, particularly for liver and heart transplantations, and the data suggest that B-cell tolerance can develop in the infant age group. We here review clinical and experimental experience with ABO-incompatible organ and bone marrow allotransplantation and address the mechanisms by which organs or cells survive in the presence of natural anti-carbohydrate antibodies.
Contributions to the mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system with special reference to learning

A learning theory based on the lowering of thresholds of neurons under certain conditions is applied to two “random net” models. The first, a so-called “ganglion-brain” is characterized by completely random connections of all afferent tracts except certain ones which form the pathways for unconditioned responses. Certain expressions are derived which measure the learning potentiality of the ganglion— in particular, with respect to the number of responses which can be learned (conditioning potential) and the amount of interference between the learned responses (redundance potential). The second model concerns the progressive refinement of a response. The efficiency of learning in this case is reflected in the eventual specificity of the response which, in turn, depends on the modification of the distribution of thresholds associated with the neurons governing the responses. Expressions are derived relating the initial distribution of thresholds, the relative effectiveness of the various responses, and certain other parameters to the final distribution of thresholds. For a particular choice of the effectiveness distribution of responses the progressive sharpening of the threshold curve (i.e., progressive specificity of response) is demonstrated. Some implications of the model with respect to the evolution of nervous systems are discussed.
Access control for untrusted content distribution clouds using unidirectional re-encryption

We present a secure content distribution cloud (CDC) system to enforce access control over encrypted data stored in untrusted CDCs. In particular, we demonstrate how a modified form of unidirectional proxy re-encryption can be used to realize coarse grained access control in a distributed environment without a proxy. We then theorize a new unidirectional re-encryption scheme that can be used in our system, including a concrete set of properties that must be satisfied to convert a proxy re-encryption system into a unidirectional re-encryption system.
Complement potentiates the degradation of myelin proteins by plasmin: implications for a mechanism of inflammatory demyelination.

Abstract A previous finding, that the basic protein in lyophilized bovine myelin was degraded by macrophage-conditioned media in the presence of plasminogen, suggested that the macrophage-secreted plasminogen activator, along with plasminogen, might have a role in destruction of myelin during inflammatory demyelination. To approximate more closely the conditions expected in vivo, plasmin, or macrophage supernatants plus plasminogen, were incubated with freshly homogenized bovine white matter or freshly isolated myelin, as distinguished from lyophilized myelin. Under these conditions basic protein was not degraded. Phospholipase or lysolecithin potentiated the degradation of basic protein in fresh bovine myelin by plasmin; however, the cultured macrophages did not secrete significant amounts of phospholipase and plasminogen activator simultaneously into the cultured media after activation with any of several different agents. Recently myelin was shown to activate complement. After preincubation of fresh myelin with guinea pig serum, as a source of complement, the basic and proteolipid proteins were vulnerable to plasmin or to macrophage-conditioned media plus plasminogen. C3-depleted and C4-deficient sera were not effective, suggesting that these complement components were required for the serum effect. Hypothetically, then, degradation of myelin proteins in the CNS could be initiated by plasminogen activator, secreted by infiltrating macrophages, plus complement and plasminogen, which could enter the CNS through lesions in the blood-brain barrier.
Chronic preconditioning: a novel approach for cardiac protection.

Ischemic preconditioning is the most powerful protective mechanism known against lethal ischemia. Unfortunately, the protection lasts for only a few hours. Here we tested the hypothesis that the heart can be kept in a preconditioned state for constant protection against ischemia. In this study we chose BMS-191095 (BMS), a highly selective opener of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+ (mitoKATP) channels. BMS (1 mg/kg ip) was administered to rats every 24 h until 96 h. In other groups, BMS plus wortmannin (WTN, 15 μg/kg ip), an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), or BMS plus 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD, 5 mg/kg ip), an inhibitor of mitoKATP, or BMS plus Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (30 μg/kg ip), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, were administered to rats. Rats were then subjected to 30-min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 120-min reperfusion. Cardiac function, infarct size, pathological changes, and apoptosis were assessed at the end of treatmen...
Lessons on transplant survival from a successful model system

Studies on the snail Melampus reveal that connectivity is crucial to the survival of transplanted ganglia. Transplanted CNS ganglia can innervate targets or induce supernumerary structures. Neuron survival is optimized by the neural incorporation that occurs when a transplanted ganglion is substituted for an excised ganglion. Better provision for the trophic requirements of neurons will improve the success of mammalian fetal transplants.
Elastic constants and the effect of strain on monovacancy concentration in fcc hard-sphere crystals

We investigate the free energy and the concentration of monovacancies in strained face-centered-cubic (fcc) hard-sphere crystals for several densities at and above melting. We use the conventional molecular dynamics method for simulations and employ a bias insertion method to extract properties of a monovacancy. We study two distinct constant-volume strains, considering a simple shear and an orthogonal expansion and contraction. Strains are examined across the linear elastic region and include also some nonlinear elastic deformations. Second-order elastic constants are reported as a function of density. The concentration of monovacancies decreases as density increases for both strained and unstrained crystals. The effect of strain is to cause the monovacancy concentration to increase by up to 72% for the expansion-contraction strain at the largest deformation studied. The effect of the shear strain is considerably less, and produces an increase in monovacancy concentration of at most 9% for the conditions studied here.
Priming Stereotypical Associations: Violent Video Games and African American Depictions

The following study examines the influence of racial representations in violent video games upon stereotype associations. Participants were assigned to play either a violent video game with a stereotypical African American avatar or a Caucasian avatar. Following game play, participants completed several measures related to aggression and an implicit association task. The results showed significant differences between the conditions for IAT response times. African American participants showed faster response times to stereotype associations of African Americans than participants who played as a Caucasian avatar. The results also showed a significant interaction effect between participant race and avatar race for aggressive affect.
Periconceptional Risk Factors for Birth Defects among Younger and Older Teen Mothers.

Abstract Study Objectives We sought to determine whether selected periconceptional health behaviors that influence risk for birth defects differ between older and younger adolescents and whether pregnancy intention predicts more positive preconception health behaviors among teens. Design and Participants We analyzed interview responses from 954 adolescent control group participants from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study who delivered live infants during 1997-2007. Main Outcome Measures Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for factors of interest by age categories (13-15, 16-17, and 18 years, relative to 19 years). To construct a composite periconceptional behavior index, we summed the following healthy behaviors: nonsmoker, nondrinker, folic acid supplementation, and eating 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Results Analyses indicated that women in the youngest group (13-15 years of age) were more likely to be Hispanic (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.40-5.70) and less likely to engage in some unhealthy pregnancy-related behaviors compared with 19-year-olds, such as smoking (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20-0.99) and being overweight or obese (aOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.61). However, they were also less likely to have taken periconceptional folic acid (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.90). About one-third of teen mothers indicated that their pregnancies had been intended. Among 18- and 19-year-olds, this predicted a higher mean value for the composite periconceptional behavior index (2.30 versus 1.94, P ≤ .01). Conclusions Teen mothers are not a homogeneous group. Each age subgroup presents varied demographic and behavioral factors that put them at varying levels of risk for birth defects. Furthermore, caregivers should not assume that teens do not plan pregnancies or that they need not be informed of the importance of periconceptional health.
The phosphorylation of choline acetyltransferase.

Human placental Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) has been shown to be phosphorylated in vitro by kinases present in rat brain. Phosphorylation occurs at a single site with the exclusive phosphoamino acid being serine. ChAT phosphorylation was shown to be calcium, and not cyclic nucleotide, dependent and was inhibited by inhibitors of calcium/calmodulin protein kinases including anti-calmodulin anti-sera. ChAT phosphorylation was stimulated by calmodulin (9 fold) and, to a lesser extent, by phosphatidylserine (4 fold). These results indicate the involvement of a calcium/calmodulin and possibly also a calcium/phosopholipid kinase. This finding was confirmed by demonstrating ChAT phosphorylation using both purified multifunctional calcium/calmodulin protein kinase (CaMK) and calcium/phospholipid protein kinase C (PKC) from rat brain. A stoichiometric incorporation of 0.9 mol phosphate/mol ChAT was achieved by CaMK. Phosphorylated ChAT could be isolated from freshly prepared rat brain synaptosomes. The results obtained with this model system support the hypothesis that in vivo a fraction of ChAT exists phosphorylated.
Tunable Transport Gap in Phosphorene

In this article, we experimentally demonstrate that the transport gap of phosphorene can be tuned monotonically from ∼0.3 to ∼1.0 eV when the flake thickness is scaled down from bulk to a single layer. As a consequence, the ON current, the OFF current, and the current ON/OFF ratios of phosphorene field effect transistors (FETs) were found to be significantly impacted by the layer thickness. The transport gap was determined from the transfer characteristics of phosphorene FETs using a robust technique that has not been reported before. The detailed mathematical model is also provided. By scaling the thickness of the gate oxide, we were also able to demonstrate enhanced ambipolar conduction in monolayer and few layer phosphorene FETs. The asymmetry of the electron and the hole current was found to be dependent on the layer thickness that can be explained by dynamic changes of the metal Fermi level with the energy band of phosphorene depending on the layer number. We also extracted the Schottky barrier heigh...
Sex differences in cortical thickness and the dendritic tree in the monocular and binocular subfields of the rat visual cortex at weaning age.

Abstract The visual cortex of adult rats is sexually dimorphic at both the gross size and dendritic levels [Brain Res., 295 (1984) 27–34; J. Comp. Neurol., in press]. In addition, sex differences in the dendritic tree are dynamic and can be altered by environmental conditions imposed at weaning [Brain Res., 295 (1984) 27–34]. The present study examines sex differences in cortical thickness and in the dendritic tree of the monocular (Oc1M) and binocular (Oc1B) subfields in littermate male and female pairs of Long-Evans rats at weaning age (25 days.) From Nissl-stained tissue, it was found that the whole cortex and layer II–IV of Oc1B was thicker in males than females. No sex differences were found in the thickness of Oc1M. Golgi-Cox-stained pyramidal neurons in layer III from the Oc1M and Oc1B regions were quantified in 7 littermate pairs of weaning-age rats. There were no sex differences in the basilar tree, while the apical oblique branches were sexually dimorphic, especially in the monocular region. Females had greater total dendritic length and longer terminal branches in Oc1M compared to males. Females also had longer bifurcating branches in both Oc1M and Oc1B than males. The present study found that sex differences at weaning age do not completely mirror the dimorphisms found in the visual cortex of the adult rat. This study also indicates that related subfields can differ in their morphology and should be examined separately.
The importance of time-dependent flame structures in stretched laminar flamelet models for turbulent jet diffusion flames

The stretched laminar flamelet model provides a convenient mechanism for incorporating realistic chemical kinetics into calculations of turbulent nonpremixed flames. In the standard flamelet model, two scalars, a mixture fraction ξ and scalar dissipation η (a measure of flamelet stretch) suffice to specify the local instantaneous thermochemical state in the turbulent flow. One shortcoming of the flamelet approach is the implicit assumption that the reaction zone structure of laminar flamelets can respond on a time scale that is fast compared to the time scale of changes in mean scalar dissipation in the turbulent flow. analysis of the response of a one-dimensional unsteady strained diffusion layer to arbitrary time-dependent-strains is presented. This analysis suggests that laminar flames cannot approach the equilibrium (zero strain) structure as rapidly as the flamelet model implies far downstream in the jet; the flamelet model breaks down in the far jet. An ad hoc modification to the flamelet model is made to account for the limited response of the diffusive layer to time-varying strain rates. In a CO/H2/N2-air turbulent jet diffusion flame, the modified flamelet model yields a substantially slower approach to chemical equilibrium and improved agreement with experimental data compared to the standard flamelet model. This suggests that the final approach to equilibrium may be limited by the nonzero response time of flamelet chemical structure to the rapidly decaying strain rates encountered downstream in the turbulent jet. In the context of flamelet models, transient effects may be more important than previously assumed.
Multiple-source heterotrophy fueled by aged organic carbon in an urbanized estuary

Abstract The lower Hudson River is a highly urbanized estuary that receives large inputs of treated wastewater. To determine how organic matter from wastewater influences carbon cycling in this type of system, we measured chlorophyll a, pCO2, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), δ13C-DOC, and Δ14C-DOC along the salinity gradient and at wastewater treatment plants. Isotopic mixing curves indicate a net removal of DOC that is 13C enriched and 14C depleted. The amount of DOC removed was consistent with CO2 evasion from the estuary. During two transects at average to low flow, the lower Hudson River Estuary was a heterotrophic system with CO2 evasion balanced by the utilization of aged DOC derived from wastewater and marine phytoplankton that enter the estuary at the seaward end-member. DOC removals were largest during a period of high river flow, when isotopic mixing curves also suggest large contributions from labile terrestrial OC sources. Overall, our results suggest that net heterotrophy in the lower Hudson River Estuary is fueled by aged labile DOC derived from a combination of sources, which are influenced by seasonal phytoplankton blooms, hydrological conditions, and the nature of wastewater inputs.
Correlation of akinesia with graft patency and cardiac enzyme after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical implications of newly developed akinesia in echocardiography after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and its relationship with graft patency. Methods and results A total of 512 patients underwent off-pump CABG from January 2007 to November 2008. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients, whose echocardiography and multi-slice computed tomography data were available, were included in the study. Wall motion was subdivided into 16 segments and analyzed. Patients were separated into group A with newly developed akinesia (n=20), and group B without newly developed akinesia (n=219). Morbidity and early mortality, cardiac enzyme level, and graft patency were compared. The incidence of newly developed akinesia according to the anatomical territory was as follows: anterior, 5; lateral, 3; posterior, 7; and multiple territories, 5. Significant differences in preoperative ejection fraction were observed between the 2 groups (group A, 45.0+/-7%; group B, 58.0+/-12.2%, P 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative ejection fraction was a risk factor for newly developed akinesia. Conclusions The mechanism of development of akinesia after off-pump CABG might be attributable to intraoperative coronary malperfusion, which is probably due to cardiac manipulation rather than graft occlusion.
MO‐D‐BRC‐10: A Low Dose CBCT Stochastic Model and Applications

Purpose: Patient dose from daily CBCT positioning has been much concerned. Decreasing the dose, however, results in lower image quality because of the increased relative noise. In this study, we build a simple model for the stochastic, and apply the result to improving the image quality. Methods: Assume the photon fluence from the source is governed by truncated Gaussian. We derived the expression of CBCT numbers as summation of a noiseless part and a stochastic part. The standard deviation(SD) of the later term was derived. On the other hand, we measured the SDs of CBCT numbers in the water equivalent region of a CatPhan phantom scanned by our Varian OBI system with various mAs values. Fitting the SD in our expression by using the measured, we then applied it to simulating low dose CBCT patient images from the normal dose CBCTimage, and to improving low dose image quality. Results: The SD from our model changes with mAs in a very similar way to those measured. This may indicate the usefulness of our model. The magnitude of the truncated Gaussian is thus the only parameter that needs to be fitted in our model by comparing the value of SD with that from measured at a certain mAs. Our model produced low dose CBCTimages stochastically equivalent to those from real scans. This would be useful for the study of low dose CBCT of patient. Finally, the image quality of low dose CBCT is significantly improved by applying our model. Thus, patient dose would be decreased without loss of image quality. Conclusions: A stochastic model for low dose CBCTimage is proposed. The model is used to simulate low patient dose CBCTimage and to improve the image quality. It is possible to acquire equivalent CBCT with significantly lower patient dose.
Body fat and risk of colorectal cancer among postmenopausal women

Studies of the relationship between anthropometric indices of obesity and colorectal cancer risk in women have shown only weak and inconsistent associations. Given the limitations of such indices, we used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived measures of body fat obtained in the Women’s Health Initiative to examine the association between body fat and risk of incident colorectal cancer. We compared these risk estimates with those obtained using conventional anthropometric measurements (body mass index and waist circumference). After exclusions, the study population consisted of 11,124 postmenopausal women with DXA measurements at baseline and no history of colorectal cancer. After a median follow-up period of 12.9 years, 169 incident colorectal cancer cases were ascertained. Cox’s proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95 % confidence intervals for the exposures of interest. Neither DXA-derived body fat measures nor anthropometric measures showed significant associations with risk. In view of the limited number of cases, we cannot rule out the existence of weak associations of these measures with risk of colorectal cancer.
Adjusting the U.S. Current Account Deficit: What Role for the Dollar, Euro and Yen?

ABSTRACT The world economy is characterised by a three-polar structure between the United States of America, Europe and Asia and fundamental disequilibria, revealed by the accumulating current account deficit of the United States. What role can exchange rate policies play in stabilizing the world economy? This paper argues that the stable exchange rates between Asian currencies and the U.S. dollar have made an important contribution to Asia's rapid economic growth. Reducing volatility has lowered risk and uncertainty for investors and the undervalued real exchange level has increased the profitability of Asian investments. But the need to correct the U.S. current account may require policies, which put this successful arrangement into question-with far-reaching consequences for growth worldwide. As a solution to this problem emerging Asian economies, including China, may want to consider re-pegging their currencies to a basket, which contains mainly the Euro and the Yen. This would preserve the benefits o...
Gas Chromatographic Determination of Non-linear Adsorption Isotherms at Low Concentrations

IN the course of an investigation of solid support effects in gas chromatography1, it was necessary to determine the adsorption and distribution isotherms for a polar solute on an active support, both coated and uncoated. Because the concentrations of the sample in the gaseous phase were very low in this investigation, it was necessary to determine the isotherms for partial pressures in the range 0.5–10 mm.
An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Corporate Transparency On Foreign Direct Investment

This study tests for the relation between corporate transparency and foreign direct investment (FDI) using a sample of 118 countries. The study also develops a set of indicators to measure corporate transparency. The findings indicate support for the hypotheses that a) greater levels of corporate transparency are associated with higher levels of inward FDI flows, and b) corporate transparency has a greater impact on inward FDI in developing countries than developed countries.
Chelation therapy and the tissue distribution and excretion of lead in mice

Groups of young hybrid mice were administered a single intravenous injection of lead citrate containing 10 mg Pb/kg, labeled with 15μCi of [su210]Pb/kg. This was followed, three days later, by the first of fifteen 0.25 mM/kg intraperitoneal treatments, as follows: the calcium forms of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), dibutyl ester of DTPA (Bu2DTPA), dihexyl ester of DTPA (Hex2DTPA), Bu22DTPA and DTPA, Hex2DTPA and DTPA, or an equal volume of saline (0.15 ml). Treatment was repeated once daily for 5 days, followed by 2 days of rest, for 3 weeks. Five days after the last treatment (26 days after the lead citrate injection), the mice were sacrificed for comparison of lead distribution within various tissues, organs, and the entire carcass as measured by the 0.047 MeV gamma emission from210Pb. Treatment of mice with either EDTA or DTPA alone was the most effective in reducing the level of lead in the brain; 49% and 43% reductions, respectively, were produced. Treatment with DTPA, given alone or in combination with either Bu2DTPA or Hex2DTPA, or treatment with the esters alone was slightly more effective than EDTA in reducing levels of lead in the blood, kidneys, liver, femurs, spleen, and the remaining carcass. The observed correspondence in lead removal between the femur and carcass suggests that most of the lead removed from the body was mobilized from skeletal deposits. Mice treated with Bu2DTPA or Hex2DTPA excreted the greatest amount of lead into the feces, whereas mice given either Hex2DTPA and DTPA or DTPA alone excreted the greatest amount of lead into the urine.