cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The binding of nitrate to the human anion exchange protein (AE1) studied with 14N nuclear magnetic resonance

The binding of [ 14 N]nitrate to the human erythrocyte anion transport protein, AE1, was studied using 14 N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 4 N-NMR). The line-width at half-height of the 14 NO 3 − resonance increased in direct proportion to the concentration of erythrocyte ghost protein. Addition of the AE1 specific inhibitor 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate markedly reduced this line-broadening, indicating that the broadening was predominantly due to a specific interaction between nitrate and AE1. The dependence of the AE1 specific line-broadening on nitrate concentration had a first-order dissociation constant K D -formula> of 6.9±0.9mM-formula>. In contrast, Cl − interaction with AE1 studied by 35 Cl-NMR showed a chloride concentration-dependent line-broadening with a K D -formula> of 74±10mM-formula>, indicating that AE1 has a higher affinity for nitrate than for chloride. Bicarbonate and chloride were found to be competitive inhibitors of the AE1 specific 14 NO 3 − line-broadening (94±6%and101±3%-formula> inhibition, respectively). Based on the concentration dependence of inhibition and using a model of competitive inhibition, the K D -formula> of bicarbonate binding to AE1 was estimated to be 5.4±1.3mM-formula>. Nitrate is a structural analog of bicarbonate, making the interaction of nitrate with AE1 a good model for the bicarbonate-AE1 interaction. The 14 N-NMR nitrate binding assay, along with the 35 Cl-NMR binding assay now in use, will provide a powerful tool for studying the structure of the AE1 binding site for both physiologic substrates, bicarbonate and chloride.
Genomic analysis of CD8+ NK/T cell line, 'SRIK-NKL', with array-based CGH (aCGH), SKY/FISH and molecular mapping.

Abstract We performed aCGH, SKY/FISH, molecular mapping and expression analyses on a permanent CD8+ NK/T cell line, ‘SRIK-NKL’ established from a lymphoma (ALL) patient, in attempt to define the fundamental genetic profile of its unique NK phenotypes. aCGH revealed hemizygous deletion of 6p containing genes responsible for hematopoietic functions. The SKY demonstrated that a constitutive reciprocal translocation, rcpt(5;14)(p13.2;q11) is a stable marker. Using somatic hybrids containing der(5) derived from SRIK-NKL, we found that the breakpoint in one homologue of no. 5 is located upstream of IL7R and also that the breakpoint in no. 14 is located within TRA@. The FISH analysis using a BAC which contains TRA@ and its flanking region further revealed a ∼231 kb deletion within 14q11 in the der(5) but not in the normal homologue of no. 14. The RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA for TRA@ transcripts which were extending across, but not including, the deleted region. IL7R was detected at least at mRNA levels. These findings were consistent with the immunological findings that TRA@ and IL7R are both expressed at mRNA levels and TRA@ at cytoplasmic protein levels in SRIK-NKL cells. In addition to rcpt(5;14), aCGH identified novel copy number abnormalities suggesting that the unique phenotype of the SRIK-NKL cell line is not solely due to the TRA@ rearrangement. These findings provide supportive evidence for the notion that SRIK-NKL cells may be useful for studying not only the function of NK cells but also genetic deregulations associated with leukemiogenesis.
Swallowing Function after Chemoradiation for Advanced Stage Oropharyngeal Cancer

Objective Advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer may be treated either surgically or nonsurgically. We reported previously functional outcomes after surgical resection with free-tissue transfer. In the present study, we evaluated swallowing function after combined chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer. Study design and setting Retrospective review of 30 patients treated at a tertiary academic center for Stage III/IV oropharyngeal cancer with sequential or concurrent chemoradiation from 1994 to 2003. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 27 of 30 (90%) patients. Most patients had base of tongue lesions (67%) and Stage IV disease (93%). Gastrostomy was carried out in 22 (82%) patients either before or during treatment. Three months after chemoradiation, 33% (9/27) were consuming all nutrition orally, 22% (6 of 27) were NPO, and 45% (12 of 27) had some oral intake but still required tube feeds. One year after treatment, 53% (10 of 19) had an exclusively oral diet whereas 47% still required tube feeds including 1 patient (5%) who was NPO. In patients without recurrence and follow-up length >1 year, 69% (9 of 13) were consuming all nutrition orally whereas 31% still required gastrostomy tube (G-tube) support. A higher rate of G-tube dependence was observed in patients treated for base of tongue lesions vs tonsil lesions (67% vs 25%, P = 0.049, χ 2 analysis). Conclusions At this institution, the short-term (3-4 months) rate of G-tube dependence was similar after surgical and non-surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. One year after chemoradiation, 31% of patients without recurrence still required tube feeds. Significance These results suggest that organ-preservation protocols do not reduce the prevalence of chronic dysphagia and G-tube dependence after management of oropharyngeal cancer. EBM rating: C-4
Reliability, Compliance, and Security in Web-Based Course Assessments.

Pre- and postcourse assessment has become a very important tool for education research in physics and other areas. The web offers an attractive alternative to in-class paper administration, but concerns about web-based administration include reliability due to changes in medium, student compliance rates, and test security, both question leakage and utilization of web resources. An investigation was carried out in introductory astronomy courses comparing pre- and postcourse administration of assessments using the web and on paper. Overall no difference was seen in performance due to the medium. Compliance rates fluctuated greatly, and factors that seemed to produce higher rates are identified. Notably, email reminders increased compliance by 20%. Most of the 559 students complied with requests to not copy, print, or save questions nor use web resources; about 1% did copy some question text and around 2% frequently used other windows or applications while completing the assessment.
Using the Research and Development in Organisations model to improve transition to high school

This article describes the application of the Research and Development in Organisations (RADIO) model to five action research projects carried out in schools around transition processes. The RADIO model is mapped onto all five studies, and adapting the model in order to include greater stakeholder participation is suggested. Reflections are made on the focus group methodology used in these schools within the RADIO model. An evaluation of the factors influencing the effectiveness of these five studies in bringing about positive change suggests that the preparation and context for carrying out action research using the RADIO model are key.
Phenylketonuria and vitamin B6 function.

THE essential role of vitamin B6 (used as a group name to include pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine) in maintaining the proper function of the central nervous system has been established1. Mental retardation, hyperirritability, and convulsive seizures are manifestations of deficient vitamin B6 metabolism. The similarity of the clinical syndrome of phenylketonuria suggests some malfunction of vitamin B6. Results of our studies on experimental phenylketonuria in rats indicate that inhibition of B6 function contributes to the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria.
'Hangover' effects the morning after marijuana smoking.

Thirteen male marijuana smokers participated in a study to determine whether marijuana smoked in the evening would result in measurable subjective or other behavioral effects the following morning. Subjects smoked either active (2.9% delta 9THC) or placebo (0.0% delta 9THC) marijuana cigarettes according to a standardized smoking regimen. Smoke inhalation was monitored by measuring expired air carbon monoxide (CO) levels before and after smoking. Acutely, active marijuana produced significant changes in heart rate, CO level, various measures of subjective effects, and behavioral tasks of card sorting, free recall and time production. When the test battery was repeated the following morning (approx. 9 h after smoking), significant changes were observed on two subjective effects scales and on the time production task after active, but not placebo, marijuana. These apparent 'hangover' effects were different from the acute effects of marijuana. The findings suggest that marijuana smoking can produce residual (hangover) effects the day after smoking. The precise nature and extent of these effects, as well as their practical implications, remain to be determined.
Serum parathyroid hormone levels in patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (chondrocalcinosis, pseudogout).

Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone was measured in the sera of 26 patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease, using a sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure. Elevated concentrations were found in the sera of 10 (38%) of these patients. Four of these 10 patients had hypercalcemia suggesting primary hyperparathyroidism, but 3 had hypocalcemia suggesting secondary hyperparathyroidism. The data extend the previously documented relationship between hyperparathyroidism and calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease, but an explanation for the association is not readily apparent.
Gas-phase reactivity of aromatic sigma,sigma-biradicals toward dinucleoside phosphates.

In order to improve the understanding of the interactions of aromatic σ,σ-biradicals with DNA, the reactivity of three isomeric σ,σ-biradicals toward four dinucleoside phosphates was studied in a mass spectrometer. The dinucleoside phosphates were evaporated into the mass spectrometer by using laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD). The results demonstrate that the structure of the σ,σ-biradical and the base sequence of the dinucleoside phosphate can have a major influence on these reactions.
Multidimensional Analysis of Poly(ethylene glycols) by Size Exclusion Chromatography and Dynamic Surface Tension Detection

Substantial improvements in a multidimensional dynamic surface tension detector (DSTD) are presented. Rapid, on-line calibration and measurement of the dynamic surface tension for high-performance liquid chromatography separations is achieved. Dynamic surface tension is determined by measuring the differential pressure across the liquid−air interface of repeatedly growing and detaching drops. Continuous surface tension measurement throughout the entire drop growth (50 ms to 2 s) is achieved, for each eluting drop, providing insight into the kinetic behavior of molecular orientation processes at the liquid−air interface. Three-dimensional data are obtained, with surface tension first converted to surface pressure, which is plotted as a function of elution time axis versus drop time axis. Two key innovations will be reported. First, a novel calibration procedure is described and implemented. Differential pressure signals from three drops (mobile phase, standard in mobile phase, and analyte in mobile phase) ...
Educating Graduate Students for the Responsible Conduct of Research [Nano Safety and Education]

In the march 2012 issue of IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine, the “Nano Safety and Education”column editor highlighted the need for safety conscious nanotechnology education by stating “along with the building of the nanotechnology workforce, there is a greater need to focus on the safety of the worker”. This column responds to that call with the research results on the education of graduate students in science and engineering who are currently conducting nanotechnology research projects. The education of these students for the responsible conduct of research (RCR) was designed with the perspective that considering the broader, societal context of innovation via scientific and engineering research is an important aspect of RCR. This perspective was motivated by recent reports that indicate declining public interest in scientific advances and an increasing tendency among the public to mistrust those managing the application of discoveries. These current developments are particularly pressing in areas such as biotechnology that focuses on the manipulation of genetic material and nanotechnology that works on the nanometer scale (10-9 m) to create new materials and tools. For example, genetically manipulated products and the lack of labeling genetically modified foods has created palpable tension between scientists and the public and resulted in concern and even protest against using scientific innovations.
Systematic comparison of position and time dependent macroparticle simulations in beam dynamics studies

Macroparticle simulation plays an important role in modern accelerator design and operation. Most linear rf accelerators have been designed based on macroparticle simulations using longitudinal position as the independent variable. In this paper, we have done a systematic comparison between using longitudinal position as the independent variable and using time as the independent variable in macroparticle simulations. We have found that, for an rms-matched beam, the maximum relative moment difference for second, fourth moments and beam maximum amplitudes between these two types of simulations is $0.25%$ in a 10 m reference transport system with physical parameters similar to the Spallation Neutron Source linac design. The maximum $z$-to- $t$ transform error in the space-charge force calculation of the position dependent simulation is about $0.1%$ in such a system. This might cause a several percent error in a complete simulation of a linac with a length of hundreds of meters. Furthermore, the error may be several times larger in simulations of mismatched beams. However, if such errors are acceptable to the linac designer, then one is justified in using position dependent macroparticle simulations in this type of linac design application.
A Determination of Tumor Necrosis Factor Expression in TMJ Inflammation with the Use of Microarray Analysis

Many different factors can lead to inflammatory changes within temporomandibular joint tissues. This investigation examined if the expression of TNF-α and its receptors was altered in TMJ tissues during inflammation. Adult male rats were injected bilaterally with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the TMJ or served as uninjected controls and were killed two days after CFA treatment. TMJ tissues were removed, and expression of TNF-α and its receptors was examined via gene microarray analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Gene microarray analysis provided evidence for changes in gene expression, notably that TNF-α and TNF-R1, but not TNF-R2, were significantly elevated in CFA-treated TMJ tissues. However, protein levels of TNF-α, TNF-R1, and TNF-R2 were all significantly increased in CFA-treated TMJ tissues. These results indicate that the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α may play a significant role in the onset of inflammatory conditions associated with adjuvant-induced arthritis of the TMJ.
Resonant interband Raman scattering in metals and semimetals

Abstract A resonance has been observed in the Raman cross section for scattering from intralayer phonons in the quasi two-dimensional, metallic graphite intercalation compounds. The resonance is found to occur for photon energies which coincide with the threshold for electronic interband absorption. The cross section is observed to correlate with the frequency derivative |dϵ2/dω|2, where ϵ2 is the imaginary part of the dielectric function. Theoretical calculations suggests the resonance should be observed in all Raman-active metals and semimetals.
NTFP and REDD at the Fourth World Conservation Congress: What is In and What is Not

While the Fourth World Conservation Congress (WCC) was effective in bringing together different participants to discuss climate change, the discussion of potential mitigation mechanisms was dominated by the Reducing Emissions for Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) initiative, to the exclusion of other possibilities, including Non-timber Forest Products (NTFP)-there was a notable lack of venues for discussing the relevance of NTFP projects for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation. This paper contrasts the treatment of NTFP and REDD at the WCC and discusses how the exclusion of NTFP from these discussions will probably affect its inclusion in the conservation agenda and the future design and funding of conservation projects. The paper also shares some ideas on unexplored complementarities between NTFP and REDD for climate change mitigation, showing that an opportunity was lost at the Fourth WCC for promoting NTFP as an additional market-based approach to conservation.
Device Temperature and Heat Generation in Power Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors

A numerical thermal-electrical model has been established for a typical power metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device in this work. The temperature and heat-generation distributions within the device are obtained and their effects on the device I- V characteristics are examined. Drain currents in both the cutoff state and the on-state increase with an increase of ambient temperatures in the entire range of v ds from the ohmic region to the breakdown region. The thermal impact on the I d - V ds curves in the cutoff state and the on-state is displayed in terms of different prebreakdown behaviors. An abrupt temperature rise occurring before the traditionally known onset of the avalanche breakdown of the drain-body p-n junction is observed in this work. Unlike the well-recognized avalanche breakdown mechanism, the microscopic mechanism for this temperature rise is not yet clearly understood. It is observed that, although the highest temperature does not occur in the channel region, the temperature gradient along the channel is the highest in the device domain. It is shown that the maximum heat generation occurs in the channel region. The magnitude of the heat generation in the channel region is found to be two orders higher than that in the drift region. This high local heat generation must be considered in the optimal design of power MOSFET devices to reduce the temperature, and more importantly, the temperature variation in the channel region for a more reliable performance of MOSFET in high-temperature applications.
Studies of premixed laminar hydrogenair flames using elementary and global kinetics models

The structure of steady laminar hydrogen-air flames was computed with two elementary and two global reaction schemes. In all cases the diffusion velocity of each of the species was computed using the same comprehensive multicomponent diffusion transport equations [1] with Chapman-Enskog transport coefficients and the Lennard-Jones parameters given by Bird et al. [2]. The specific heats and enthalpies were those of Gordon and McBride [3]. The steady state was obtained by solving the onedimensional conservation equations through the transient in a Lagrangian frame [4]. The chemical source terms were treated semiimplicitly and the diffusion terms explicitly and to first-order. Insensitivity to numerical parameters was assessed by varying the time and space discretization. Even though hydrogen-air kinetics is relatively simple, a number of reaction schemes have been proposed for it. We selected those of Dixon-Lewis [5] (8 species, 13 reversible reactions) and Westbrook and Dryer [6] (9 species, 17 reversible reactions) and computed laminar flame structures at 0.1 MPa, 300K, and equivalence ratios from ~b = 0.5 to 5.0. The additional species of the Westbrook and Dryer scheme is
Evaporation of water droplets placed on a heated horizontal surface

A numerical analysis of the evaporation process of small water droplets with diameters of I mm or less that are gently deposited on a hot isothermal solid surface has been performed. This study considers the internal fluid motion that occurs as a result of the thermocapillary convection in the droplet and it determines the effect of fluid motion on the heat transfer between the drop and the solid surface. This study is particularly relevant because the internal fluid motion has not been considered in previous numerical and analytical models presented in the literature. To assess the effects of internal fluid motion, the model results are compared to numerical results provided by a heat conduction model that neglects the fluid motion. The Navier-Stokes and Thermal Energy equations are solved using the Artificial Compressibility Method with Dual Time Stepping. Boundary-fitted grids are used to track the changes in the droplet surface shape during the evaporation process
Sampling behavior and contextual change

Abstract The setting in which learning occurs has been ascribed many functions in recent years. One prominent role is the support of memory retrieval, and the attendant possibility of forgetting when the training context is changed. However, forgetting may sometimes be an overly strong interpretation of the performance decrements that attend a contextual change (CC). Instead, a critical analysis of the CC phenomenon suggests that contextual change effects (CCEs) might be more properly viewed as instrumental behavior, not impairments. This possibility was examined in two radial maze experiments that were designed to determine whether CCEs were flexible responses that could conform to opportunity, or if they were rigid failures of memory. Clear support was obtained for the adaptive alternative. When opportunity was provided, rats displaced their CC-induced “errors” to follow the correct response after the reward was collected. This would have been impossible if forgetting had occurred. Animals not provided with this opportunity displayed the “errors” expected by conventional accounts of CC. Analysis of vigilant behavior and running time revealed a dissociation between these dimensions of behavior and unbaited arm visits, indicating that the CC had an important impact upon the animal, but not upon its memory. These findings, and an examination of related literature, suggest that CCEs may often represent “sampling” behavior—investigative responses that could supply occasion-setting information.
One rotten apple infects all in the basket.

Suggested citation for this article: Potter P. One rotten apple infects all in the basket. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2013 Jan [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1901.AC1901
Two proliferative stages of the oligodendrocyte lineage (A2B5+O4- and O4+GaIC-) under different mitogenic control

Cell proliferation during successive stages of oligodendrocyte development was delineated in the rat brain and optic nerve. Surface antigens, A2B5, O4, and galactocerebroside (GalC) identified three cell populations emerging in sequence; the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into newly synthesized DNA identified the proliferative cells. In vivo, progenitor cells with phenotypes A2B5+O4- and A2B5+O4+GalC- were both proliferative, whereas differentiated GalC+ oligodendrocytes were not. Under basal conditions of culture, the proliferation of both progenitor cell types of the optic nerve was nearly abolished. Activity was restored for A2B5+O4- precursor cells with medium conditioned by either type-1 astrocytes, meningeal cells, or cerebellar interneurons. In contrast, intermediate O4+GalC- cells (proligodendrocytes) were refractory to the astroglial and meningeal signals, but remained as responsive as their precursor cells to the neuronal stimulus. These data further characterize the O4+GalC- proligodendrocyte as a distinct developmental stage, one that specifies a changing response of the cell to environmental mitogens.
Numerical solution of a phase-change problem encountered during frost protection with overhead sprinkling

Abstract The protection of fruit by intermittent sprinkling may involve determination of on- and off-times of the sprinkler pulse. The problem of heat transfer in a sprinkled apple bud is solved using a lumped analysis for the bud. Analysis of the water layer involves two separate Stefan problems, one of which involves a convective heat and mass transfer boundary condition. Time dependency of the solution to the Stefan problems is shown to be primarily due to movement of the solidifying fronts, with thermal storage effects negligible by comparison. Results show the influence of environmental conditions on the temperature response of buds and on the freezing time of the outer ice layer.
Vibrational spectroscopy of CH bonds of methane and tetramethylsilane in liquid argon solutions

Abstract The liquid phase spectra of the fundamental and first overtone (Δv = 1, 2) around the CH stretch of methane and tetramethylsilane in liquid argon solutions have been measured using Fourier transform IR and near-IR techniques. The fourth overtone (Δv = 5) of the CH stretch has been measured in methane pure at 116 K and in liquid argon solutions at 100 K using laser excitation with acoustic detection. The results indicate that absorption bands, which normally present extensive inhomogeneous congestion, could be simplified by studying the absorptions in diluted solutions at low temperatures with inert liquefied gases as solvents.
Amiodarone and its Putative Metabolites Fail to Activate Wild Type hTAAR1

The ability of amiodarone and its putative metabolites to activate unmodified human trace amine associated receptor 1 (hTAAR1) stably expressed in CHO cell lines was evaluated. Receptor activation was monitored by measuring the accumulation of cAMP, the putative hTAAR1 native second messenger, or calcium mobilization in cells where the receptor was coupled to the promiscuous Gq, Galpha16. Despite literature reports of activation of rodent TAAR1 by these agents, no response was seen in either cell line although robust activation was obtained with the endogenous ligand beta-phenethylamine. These results indicate that TAAR1 activation by amiodarone and its analogs is species specific.
How different are smokers? An analysis based on personal finances

Abstract We study the association between smoking status and individual decisions, focusing on outcomes in the domain of personal finance. The study draws information on demographic variables, various financial outcomes including individual credit scores, time and risk preferences, and personality traits, from both population data and experimental data. The results suggest that smokers make poor decisions and experience worse outcomes with personal finances vis-a-vis non-smokers. This relationship is robust to controlling for a myriad of variables, including characteristics that are known to be correlated with smoking. Thus, smoking status contains more precise information about individuals that are not fully captured by available noisy economic and psychological measures. Since available estimates of personality traits have substantial measurement error, smoking status may effectively capture residual information.
E-64-d prevents both calpain upregulation and apoptosis in the lesion and penumbra following spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract Calpain, a Ca 2+ -dependent cysteine protease, has been implicated in cytoskeletal protein degradation and neurodegeneration in the lesion and adjacent areas following spinal cord injury (SCI). To attenuate apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) in SCI, we treated injured rats with E-64-d, a cell permeable and selective inhibitor of calpain. SCI was induced on T12 by the weight-drop (40 g-cm force) method. Within 15 min, E-64-d (1 mg/kg) in 1.5% DMSO was administered i.v. to the SCI rats. Following 24 h treatment, a 5-cm long spinal cord section with the lesion in the center was collected. The spinal cord section was divided equally into five 1-cm segments (S1: distant rostral, S2: near rostral, S3: lesion or injury, S4: near caudal and S5: distant caudal) for analysis. Determination of mRNA levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated that ratios of bax/bcl-2 and calpain/calpastatin were increased in spinal cord segments from injured rats compared to controls. Degradation of the 68-kD neurofilament protein and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation were also increased. All of these changes were maximally increased in the lesion and gradually decreased in the adjacent areas of SCI rats, while largely undetectable in E-64-d treated rats and absent in sham controls. The results indicate that apoptosis in rat SCI appears to be associated with calpain activity which can be attenuated by the calpain inhibitor E-64-d.
Visual Aftereffects Of Sequential Perception: Dynamic Adaptation To Changes In Texture Density And Contrast

Two new aftereffects are described in which the comparison of successively presented textures can be affected by prior exposure (adaptation) to biased sequences. A dynamic aftereffect of texture density can be produced using changes in non-Fourier texture density (using balanced-dot textures). An analogous dynamic aftereffect is demonstrated for texture contrast. These two effects are dissociated experimentally by the near absence of cross-adaptation. Evidence is also presented that the density effect is not one of texture motion (e.g. expansion/contraction of texture).
Human Factors in Agricultural Tractor Safety

Agriculture is the third most hazardous industry, following mining and construction. Some reasons for this relate to the nature of agricultural machines and the conditions under which they are operated. Only 5% of all U.S. workers were engaged in agriculture in 1973, but these accounted for 17% of all work related injuries. Farm machinery was involved in the greatest number of these accidents. The economic cost of farm accidents is rising rapidly. Human factors engineering can be applied in the analysis of man/machine/environment/task relationships in agriculture. However, most conditions or assumptions applicable to industrial safety engineering do not apply in agricultural operations where variability, self-reliance, and self-management are the rule. This paper presents a survey of the current state of the art in applying human factors to agricultural tractors and explores some current research frontiers as well as some possibilities for future research. Language: en
Exploring weight gain in year before treatment for binge eating disorder: a different context for interpreting limited weight losses in treatment studies.

Objective—To examine weight changes in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED) during the year prior to seeking treatment and to explore correlates of weight changes. Method—Seventy-eight consecutive, treatment-seeking, obese BED patients were assessed with structured interviews and self-report questionnaires. Results—Overall, participants reported a mean weight gain of 15.1 pounds during the 12 months prior to treatment. This overall weight gain comprised remarkable heterogeneity, ranging from a 30-pound loss to a 53-pound gain. The subgroup of participants who reported gaining weight (76% of sample) reported gaining an average of 22.2 pounds during the 12 months prior to treatment. Weight change was associated with significantly more frequent binge eating and overeating during breakfasts. Discussion—Treatment-seeking obese patients with BED reported having gained substantial amounts of weight during the previous year. These findings provide an important context for interpreting the modest weight losses typically reported by treatment studies of BED. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating (i.e., the consumption of an unusually large amount of food in a discrete period of time while experiencing a subjective sense of loss of control) in the absence of compensatory behaviors. Binge eating disorder currently affects approximately 3.5% of adult women and is strongly associated with obesity and increased morbidity.1 Although some treatments have efficacy for reducing binge eating, most are largely ineffective in producing significant weight losses.2 , 3 There is a clear need for understanding why weight losses tend to be so limited in light of substantial reductions or even remission of binge eating in treatment studies. One clinical hypothesis is that treatments for BED may stabilize or prevent further weight gain.4 On average, American adults gain approximately two pounds per year. In a sample of 48 women with BED, Fairburn and colleagues5 found an average weight gain of 9.2 lbs (SD=21.6) with an increase in obesity rates from 22% to 39% over the course of 5 years. However, this sample was much younger and thinner than patients with BED in most treatment studies.2 The present investigation aimed to examine weight changes in obese patients with BED during the year prior to seeking treatment and to explore correlates of weight changes with a focus on historical obesity/dieting variables and recent disordered eating behaviors.
Global Optimization for the Parameter Estimation of Differential-Algebraic Systems

The estimation of parameters in semiempirical models is essential in numerous areas of engineering and applied science. In many cases these models are represented by a set of nonlinear differential-algebraic equations. This introduces difficulties from both a numerical and an optimization perspective. One such difficulty, which has not been adequately addressed, is the existence of multiple local minima. In this paper, two novel global optimization methods will be presented which offer a theoretical guarantee of convergence to the global minimum for a wide range of problems. The first is based on converting the dynamic system of equations into a set of algebraic constraints through the use of collocation methods. The reformulated problem has interesting mathematical properties which allow for the development of a deterministic branch and bound global optimization approach. The second method is based on the use of integration to solve the dynamic system of equations. Both methods will be applied to the pro...
The Culture of Poverty

A society is culturally plural when it contains a variety of cultural groups. A common view is that just societies are likely to be culturally plural. This view assumes that human beings have rights to remain in the cultures in which they were born, or even to adopt whatever culture they choose. It is also widely believed that cultural pluralism tends to have good consequences. For example, many people suppose that the variety of cultures in a culturally plural society adds savor and interest to the lives of its inhabitants. This view evidently assumes that culture is a consumer good. Another view that cultural pluralism tends to have good consequences rests on the premise that each culture has claims to moral knowledge.
Using Markov chains to analyze the effectiveness of local search algorithms

This paper analyzes the performance of local search algorithms (guided by the best-to-date solution at each iteration) in visiting suboptimal solutions for hard discrete optimization problems. The @b-acceptable solution concept is used to capture how effectively an algorithm has performed to date and how effectively an algorithm can be expected to perform in the future in visiting suboptimal solutions. By this concept, an algorithm run is deemed a success if it reaches the level @b, where @b denotes an objective function value close to but still worse than the globally optimal value. A Markov chain state space reduction technique, state pooling, is introduced and used to obtain an estimator for the expected number of iterations to visit a @b-acceptable solution. Convergence results for this estimator are provided. Computational experiments with the Lin-Kernighan-Helsgaun algorithm applied to medium and large travelling salesman problem instances taken from TSPLIB (all with known optimal solutions) are reported to illustrate the application of this estimator.
Socioeconomic Status, Psychosocial Factors, Race and Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping in a Hispanic Cohort

Clinic blood pressure (BP) is not always representative of an individual’s BP during everyday life. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring is used to assess individuals’ BP during normal daily activities. ABP normally shows diurnal fluctuation, with higher BP levels during the day and lower levels at night. Sustained adrenergic activity during sleep is associated with a blunting of the typical nocturnal BP reduction. Individuals whose BP remains high at night (nondippers) have more cardiovascular morbidity and mortality1 than those with a normal diurnal pattern. Evidence regarding ABP in Hispanics is limited. Only 2 small studies, which suggest that Hispanics are more likely to be nondippers than non-Hispanic whites, exist.2,3 However, determinants of ABP among Hispanics have been largely unexplored. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.4,5 The reasons for this association are not completely understood. Sympathetic stimulation has been shown to vary with environmental exposures, such as low SES adversity.6 It is likely that lower SES individuals are exposed to more frequent and severe stressors and thereby experience more frequent sympathetic activation. An altered autonomic tone associated with lower SES may be reflected as ABP nondipping7–10 and be particularly important among Hispanics whom, according to the US Census, are more likely to be living in poverty than non-Hispanic whites.11 In addition, there is evidence that ABP nondipping may be related to adverse psychosocial factors, such as depressive symptoms and lack of social support.12–14 However, there is little information available as to the role of psychosocial factors and SES as they relate to ABP measures among Hispanics. Furthermore, there is clear importance to the role of race as it relates to ABP in non-Hispanic populations, with ABP nondipping being more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks than among non-Hispanic whites.15,16 The role of race among Hispanics as it relates to ABP has not been explored. In this study, we further characterize ABP nondipping and its determinants in a sample of Hispanics. Our aim is to examine the association of SES and psychosocial factors with ABP nondipping. We hypothesize that lower SES, lower social support, and higher depressive symptoms are associated with greater ABP nondipping in this Hispanic cohort. As a secondary aim, we explore whether these associations vary by race.
Studies Comparing the Metabolism in Rats of Radiophosphorus Provided as NaH 2PO4 and Other Inorganic Phosphates

Three studies were conducted in the rat to determine relative amounts of radiophosphorus present in various hard tissues and body fluids when provided as various inorganic phosphates. Considerable variation was observed in metabolic activity of the phosphates, with NaH2PO4 having the greater activity.
Sequential gel mobility shift scanning of 5' upstream sequences of the Neurospora crassa am (GDH) gene.

We have used gel mobility shift assays to scan 1.7 kb of 5′ non-coding sequence of the am (glutamate dehydrogenase) gene of Neurospora crassa for binding by partially fractionated Neurospora proteins. Using genetic analysis this region had been shown to play an important role in the control of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) expression. Gel mobility shift analysis identified three regions to which Neurospora proteins bind specifically. Two of these corresponded to the two elements previously defined by genetic analysis (URSamα and URSamβ). The third protein binding site appears to be unrelated to am gene expression. Competition experiments showed that the proteins that bind to the URSamα and URSamβ elements are different. The URSamα element was shown to contain two independent binding sites for the URSamα binding protein(s). Both fragments contain a CCAAT motif, suggesting that URSamα binding protein(s) may be members of one of the CCAAT-binding protein families. The effect of deletion of either the URSamα or URSamβ elements on catabolite induction of am expression was also determined. Both elements appear to act as constitutive enhancers of gene expression.
Regulation of cardiac myocyte contractile function by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS): mechanisms of contractile depression by nitric oxide

Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the reversible depression of cardiac contractile function accompanying local or systemic immune stimulation. Incubation of cardiac myocytes with soluble components in the supernatant from cultured rat lung macrophages activated with endotoxin decreases their contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation through the induction of iNOS and the subsequent production of nitric oxide by these cells. In the present study, we characterize the mechanisms underlying NO's attenuation of adrenergic responsiveness in cardiac myocytes. iNOS was induced in cultured ventricular myocytes from adult rats by incubation for 20 h with conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. iNOS induction did not induce any alteration in beta-adrenergic receptor density or affinity, G(alpha i) protein abundance, or adenylyl cyclase activity in cultured myocytes. Myocyte exposure to activated macrophage-conditioned medium markedly attenuated the elevation of cAMP in response to isoproterenol (Iso, 2 nM). Induction of iNOS with the macrophage-conditioned medium also potentiated the Iso-induced increase in myocyte cGMP, This cGMP increase was totally abolished by NOS inhibitors. NOS inhibition also returned the attenuated cAMP response to 2 nM Iso to levels observed in control cells. Preincubation of the cells in isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, also partly reversed the attenuation of cAMP increase with 2 nM Iso in cells expressing iNOS. Brief (15 min) exposure of myocytes to the NO donor, S-nitrosoacetylcysteine (SNAG, 100 mu M) which produced a three-fold increase in intracellular cGMP, also decreased by half the contractile response of cardiac myocytes to Iso (2 nM). We conclude that NO endogenously produced by iNOS decreases the intracellular levels of cAMP in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in isolated cardiac myocytes, in part through a cGMP-mediated mechanism. This effect may participate in the NO-dependent depression of cardiac function following cytokine exposure. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.
An approach for the effective utilization of GP-GPUs in parallel combined simulation

A major challenge in the field of Modeling & Simulation is providing efficient parallel computation for a variety of algorithms. Algorithms that are described easily and computed efficiently for continuous simulation, may be complex to describe and/or efficiently execute in a discrete event context, and vice-versa. Real-world models often employ multiple algorithms that are optimally defined in one approach or the other. Parallel combined simulation addresses this problem by allowing models to define algorithmic components across multiple paradigms. In this paper, we illustrate the performance of parallel combined simulation, where the continuous component is executed across multiple graphical processing units (GPU) and the discrete event component is executed across multiple central processing units (CPU).
Parkinson disease: Gene therapy for Parkinson disease--a hope, or a dream?

Gene therapy offers the potential to deliver therapeutic proteins to a target region, and is a promising treatment for Parkinson disease. A new open-label study testing ProSavin®, which encodes three rate-limiting enzymes required for dopamine biosynthesis, showed favourable safety and efficacy results, but its therapeutic potential awaits confirmation in double-blind trials.
Stochastic peak tracking and the Kalman filter

The peak tracking problem can be reduced to a Kalman falter problem [1] with the additional variable of the excursion amplitude c , which is then obtained by maximizing the expected peak. In the special case where the parameters do not change, the method yields two tracking procedures depending on the criterion used: 1) Tracking for a limited time and then settling for the parameter value so determined. It is shown that the expected error is proportional to t-1, where t is the tracking time [2]. 2) A procedure which agrees with the Kiefer-Wolfowitz stochastic approximation method [3]. It is shown further that the expected total reduction in peak value (due to error and hunting loss) is proportional to t^{-1/2}.
Stress trajectories in mothers of young children with Down syndrome

Background In this study, we investigated the early development of stress in mothers of children with Down syndrome, compared with mothers of children with developmental disabilities of mixed aetiologies. Growth modelling analyses were used to explore: (  ) whether mothers of children with Down syndrome demonstrated distinct patterns of stress during their children’s early development, compared with mothers of children with other developmental disabilities; and (  ) whether there was a relation between child behavioural characteristics and the level and rate of change in stress observed in each population. Method The stress trajectories of mothers of young children with Down syndrome ( n =  ) and a mixedaetiology comparison group ( n =  ) were estimated, using growth modelling on data collected at ages of  ,  and  months. Results On average, stress in the mixed comparison group was higher at Time  and remained unchanged over time, while stress in the Down syndrome group was lower at Time  but increased steadily. After taking diagnostic group membership into account, more advanced cognitive-linguistic functioning and lower levels of maladaptive behaviours at all time points were associated with lower levels of maternal stress. Conclusions These findings suggest that the cognitive-linguistic and behavioural trajectory observed in early development in Down syndrome may contribute to the changes in maternal stress levels observed throughout these early years. Implications for developing targeted and timesensitive family interventions for families of children with Down syndrome are discussed.
SWIM optimization methodology

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pursuing the implementation of a System Wide Information Management (SWIM) capability to enable greater sharing of Air Traffic Management (ATM) information. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an optimization methodology for the SWIM network configuration with respect to performance and cost. The benefit of the SWIM optimization methodology is to help ensure that technical risks associated with SWIM integration are identified in a timely manner such that National Airspace System (NAS) requirements can be met. We describe the methodology based on an Integer Programming optimization technique using modeling and simulation scenarios with the Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), Enhanced Weather Information Network Service Dissemination (EWD), Flight Data Publication Service (FDPS), and Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement (TAMR) as examples. This optimization methodology could be used to determine alternative NAS Enterprise Messaging Service (NEMS) deployment and user program architectures.