cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents: Policies, Taxation, and Programs

Obesity has grown at an alarming rate in children and adolescents. Concurrently, consumption on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) also rose significantly. This review provides an overview of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to SSBs and current policies restricting SSBs in schools, school-based interventions, and taxation on reducing SSB intake and obesity. We also discuss challenges of and future steps for these initiatives. Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest a strong association between SSB intake and obesity and T2DM. School food policies have been initiated at federal, state, and local levels. School-based interventions have shown positive effects on SSB intake and obesity reduction. Taxation on SSBs is promising in combating obesity and in generating revenue. Challenges towards compliance and implementation of the policies and programs exist. The relationship between SSB and obesity and T2DM is a complex problem which requires comprehensive solutions. Continued efforts in restricting SSBs in schools are needed. Intervention programs should be tailored to age, gender, language, and culture and involve participation from families and local communities. Taxation can reduce SSB consumption by direct economic incentive, earmarking revenues to support healthy foods, and sending negative message. However, a higher tax rate may be necessary to have a measurable effect on weight.
Advances in Cryocoolers

Publisher Summary Cryocooler problems such as poor reliability and high cost have limited the application areas for cryogenics. Recent advances in cryocoolers are beginning to alleviate some of the problems. This chapter presents applications for such cryocoolers, and reviews the requirements which these applications impose on the cryocoolers. Most applications require improved reliability. For space applications the additional requirement of high efficiency is needed, whereas for commercial applications low cost is also a primary factor. Developments within the last 10 years to meet some of these requirements include the use of flexure and gas bearings to eliminate rubbing contact, pulse tube refrigerators to eliminate the moving displacer in Sterling and Gifford-McMahon refrigerators, the use of gas mixtures to improve efficiency of Joule-Thomson refrigerators and to allow the use of commercial compressors, the use of sorption compressors and thermoacoustic drivers to replace mechanical compressors and pressure oscillators, and the use of new high heat capacity materials to allow Gifford-McMahon and pulse tube refrigerators to reach temperatures below 4 K. A new cycle, known as the Boreas cycle, provides improved efficiency in small 4 K refrigerators. The status and future trends of these developments are presented in the chapter.
Online Reputation Analysis

To buy a good reputation is virtually impossible. To the contrary, reputation is earned over time, based on character, words, and actions. It is hard to build, easy to lose and it matters a lot. Because of reputation, organizations and people fail or succeed and brands live and die on it. Sticks and stones may break bones but a bad reputation can put an organization out of business. Unfortunately, so far, there is no multidisciplinary accepted definition of the term (Barnett, Jermier, & Lafferty, 2006; Eberl, 2006; Eisenegger & Imhof, 2009; Walsh, 2006). The main reason for this is that reputation is a social construct that is formed by people: so everyone has an inkling of it. Likewise reputation is studied in umpteen disciplines with different approaches. Despite the variation of definitions there are similarities: Reputation is based on people and includes their judgment and expresses an assessment (Peters, 2011).
Lewis Carroll, Voting, and the Taxicab Metric

The Dodgson winner seems very intuitive and reasonable: when a Condorcet winner doesn't exist, pick the candidate that is closest, under some measure, to being a Condorcet winner. However, Dodgson'...
Truthiness and the First Amendment

Ohio has a law that criminalizes making false statements about a political candidate or a ballot initiative. For dogged supporters of the First Amendment such as the Cato Institute, this law seems like it was ripped from the pages of Orwell’s 1984. What is this Ministry of Truth that sits in judgment over political discourse? Aren’t truthiness, insinuations, and allegations core parts of American public debate? In this article, adapted from an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court in Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus (2014), the authors exercise their right to satire to show how Ohio’s law chills speech by denying people the right to mock their would-be leaders and to be just as foolish as they wish during election campaigns.
Brain Perfusion Systems for Studies of Drug Uptake and Metabolism in the Central Nervous System

Recent advances in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical sciences have greatly expanded the number of drugs that are being developed for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. These drugs include a wide array of antibody, protein, peptide, and recombinant DNA agents as well as novel small agents (e. g., amino acids, nucleic acid precursors, and receptor agonists or blockers) for the treatment of brain tumors, strokes, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. Though such agents often show excellent activity in vitro, many exhibit only restricted activity in vivo because of poor brain uptake and penetration. This problem has stimulated new work on factors that control drug uptake into brain and on methods to enhance CNS drug delivery.
Mainstreaming Students with Behavior Disorders: The Use of Classroom Peers as Facilitators of Generalization

With the recent emphasis on including students with disabilities in general education settings, the combination of self-evaluation and peer monitoring procedures is proposed as one method for trans...
Isolation, Purification, and Cultivation of Murine and Human Keratinocytes

The architecture of mammalian skin incorporates an outer layer of stratified epithelium. This enables the organism to conserve internal homeostasis and maintain protection from adverse environmental exposure. The keratinocyte is the cell primarily responsible for this structure. Isolation and in vitro cultivation of this cell type is widely used in dermatological and other investigations as opposed to using whole animals. However, this cell is very fastidious as compared to other skin cells (fibroblasts, etc.) and thus requires special procedures to obtain successful in vitro cultivation. This chapter describes the methodology required to isolate, purify, and cultivate keratinocytes to produce both monolayer and stratified cultures. The methodologies for producing cultures of keratinocytes obtained from rat skin and from human skin are described.
Gender Inequality in Compensation in Medicine and Surgery

Although the enrollment in medical school is well distributed between male and female students, the presence of female physicians in leadership roles has continued to be in the minority. There still exists a gap in compensation in medicine and surgery, and there are advancements we can strive for in order to close this gap.
Death associated with fluorocarbon inhalation: report of a case.

Reports of deaths associated with inhalation of volatile fluorinated hydrocarbons increased dramatically in the late 1960's [1] and, subsequently, several reports have detailed the physiological effects, tissue concentrations, and excretion rates for two of these fluorocarbons: trichlorofluoromethane (F-12) and dichlorodifluoromethane (F-11).
Factors Associated with Symptomology of Celiac Artery Compression and Outcomes Following Median Arcuate Ligament Release

Background This study aims to identify potential risk factors for becoming symptomatic in patients with radiographic celiac artery compression (CAC) as well as prognostic factors for patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) who underwent surgical ligament release. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with findings of CAC on computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography (CT/MRA) who were asymptomatic and who were diagnosed with MALS at a single university hospital between January 2001 and 2018. Results Following a review of 1,330 CT/MRA reports, a total of 109 patients were identified as having radiographically apparent CAC. Among these, 48 (44.0%) patients were symptomatic. Univariate comparison between those with and without symptoms showed that symptomatic patients were more commonly younger than 30 years old [17/48 (35.4%) vs. 8/61 (13.1%), P = 0.006], had a history of prior abdominal surgery [25/48 (52.1%) vs. 18/61 (29.5%), P = 0.017], and had high-grade stenosis [32/43 (74.4%) vs. 25/61 (41.0%), P = 0.001]. Among 41 included patients who underwent surgical release of the median arcuate ligament including open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches, 82.9% reported overall clinical improvement, 5/41 (12.2%) reported persistent pain, and 13/36 (36.0%) experienced pain recurrence. The only identified risk factor associated with symptom recurrence was American Society of Anesthesiologists class III [7/13 (53.8%) vs. 4/23 (17.4%), P = 0.029]. Conclusions The severity of stenosis and prior abdominal surgery both contributed to symptom development in patients with radiographically apparent CAC from the median arcuate ligament.
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School: Mapping resources to support an important conversation

Abstract The Carlisle Indian Industrial School (1879–1918) was the first federally managed, off-reservation boarding school for Native American children and young adults. Roughly 8000 students represented hundreds of different nations and tribes across the United States. With the administrative records of the school being recently digitized, detailed information can support new areas for research and exploration. The journeys of individual students can be mapped, showing movement from home to school and to various outing locations. Aggregated data on outings can reveal where students were most often sent, differences by gender, and how outing locations changed over time. Details of the school, including the campus grounds and the school cemetery, can shed light on important aspects of school operations. As new tools for visualization and geographical representation are employed, opportunities to learn from and share this contested history will facilitate a deeper understanding of the Native American boarding school movement.
Social Support, Childhood Adversities, and Academic Outcomes: A Latent Class Analysis

Childhood adversities tend to impact development in a cumulative way. However, extant research on childhood adversities has focused on a variable-centered approach to examine the cumulative effect ...
Regaining R&D Leadership: The Role of Design Thinking and Creative Forbearance:

This article examines how Siemens’s molecular imaging group incorporated design thinking principles into R&D to regain market leadership. Marked departures from its past practice included a “univer...
Odio en la red. Una revisión crítica de la reciente jurisprudencia sobre ciberterrorismo y ciberodio

Resulta cada vez mas habitual que las conductas descritas de enaltecimiento del terrorismo y de humillacion y descredito de sus victimas previsto en el art. 578 CP y las constitutivas del llamado «delito de odio» del art. 510 CP se realicen mediante el empleo de Internet o redes sociales. No debe extranar, por ello, que en la mas reciente jurisprudencia sobre delitos de odio se haga eco de la cuestion que acaba de ser planteada de forma cada vez mas habitual. No en vano, algunas resoluciones reconocen como indicadores de la eventual relevancia tipica de la conducta, por ejemplo, el caracter abierto o cerrado de la red, el numero de seguidores del agente, el numero de retuits del mensaje o la habitualidad del perfil del enjuiciado. Ello esta sucediendo, no obstante, en mucha mayor medida en relacion con el delito de enaltecimiento del terrorismo y humillacion y descredito de sus victimas previsto en el art. 578 CP (Ciberterrorismo), que a proposito del delito de odio del art. 510 CP (Ciberodio). A continuacion se exponen criticamente las principales vicisitudes de ambos contextos jurisprudenciales.
Unsupervised Learning on the Health and Retirement Study using Geometric Data Analysis

A geometric data analysis that builds a lower dimensional representation of both individuals and measured variables is used to detect and represent underlying structures in the US Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal survey of a representative sample of Americans over age 50 that captures information on how changing health interacts with social, economic, and psychological factors and retirement decisions. Multiple correspondence analysis is performed on a subset of the survey responses, creating a lower dimensional representation of the respondents and their response patterns, and a hierarchical clustering method is applied to test and validate specific structures in this population study.
Visual Evoked Potentials and Intraoperative Awakening in Ophthalmic Artery Sacrifice During Aneurysm Clipping: 2 Cases and Literature Review.

Background Complete aneurysm obliteration is the goal of aneurysm treatment. In selected cases, a neck remnant may be left to preserve a critical branch. Literature on ophthalmic artery sacrifice in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms and subsequent risk of vision loss is limited. Case Description Herein, we describe 2 cases where the ophthalmic artery originated from the aneurysm dome, resulting in a situation where we either incompletely obliterate the aneurysm or sacrifice the ophthalmic artery in order to completely clip the lesion, risking visual function. Conclusions We report for the first time the use of visual evoked potential monitoring and intraoperative awakening to test visual function following intentional ophthalmic artery sacrifice to demonstrate gross vision preservation.
The Efficacy and Use of a Pocket Card Algorithm in Status Epilepticus Treatment.

Abstract: Objective: To determine whether a pocket card treatment algorithm improves the early treatment of status epilepticus and to assess its utilization and retention in clinical practice Methods: Multidisciplinary care teams participated in video-recorded status epilepticus simulation sessions from 2015 to 2019. In this longitudinal cohort study, we examined the sessions recorded before and after introducing an internally developed, guideline-derived pocket card to determine differences in the adequacy or timeliness of rescue benzodiazepine. Simulation participants were queried 9-months later for submission of a differentiating identification number on each card to assess ongoing availability and utilization. Results: Forty-four teams were included (22 before and 22 after the introduction of the pocket card). The time to rescue therapy was shorter for teams with the pocket card available [84 seconds (64 – 132)] compared to teams before introduction [144 seconds (100 – 162)] (U = 94; median difference = -46.9, 95% CI = -75.9 to -21.9). The adequate dosing did not differ with card availability (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 0.43-5.1). At 9-month follow-up, 32 participants (65%) completed the survey, with 26 (81%) self-reporting having the pocket card available and 11 (34%) confirming ready access with the identification number. All identification numbers submitted corresponded to the hard copy laminated pocket card, none to the electronic version. Conclusions: A pocket card is a feasible, effective, and worthwhile educational tool to improve the implementation of updated guidelines for the treatment of status epilepticus.
On the determination of cyclic plastic strain energy with the provision for microplasticity

Abstract A statistical method for the estimation of plastic strain energy per cycle in metals experiencing fatigue is presented. It is shown that the plastic strain distribution under cyclic loading follows a two-parameter Weibull probability function, where monotonic stress-strain data is used as input. The second probability function is incorporated to account for different crystallographic directions. To verify the results, a thermodynamically-based model is used to measure the PSE per cycle and A finite element model was developed to predict plastic strain energy per cycle. The results via the presented method corroborate the predictions of the numerical and thermodynamically-based models.
The NRF2-LOC344887 signaling axis suppresses pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and irreversible disease characterized by an increase in differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in lung tissue. Pharmacological activation of NRF2 has proved to be a valuable antifibrotic approach, however the detailed mechanisms of how NRF2 mediates antifibrotic function remain unclear. In this study, we found that the antifibrotic function of sulforaphane (SFN), an NRF2 activator, was largely dependent on LOC344887, a long noncoding RNA. Two functional AREs were identified in both the promoter and intron 1 of LOC344887, which defines LOC344887 as a novel anti-fibrotic NRF2 target gene. RNA-seq analysis revealed that LOC344887 controls genes and signaling pathways associated with fibrogenesis. Deletion or downregulation of LOC344887 enhanced expression of CDH2/N-cadherin, as well as a number of other fibrotic genes and blunted the antifibrotic effects of SFN. Furthermore, LOC344887-mediated downregulation of fibrotic genes may involve the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, as pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K activity blocked the effects of LOC344887 knockdown. Our findings demonstrate that NRF2-mediated LOC344887 upregulation contributes to the antifibrotic potential of SFN by repressing the expression of CDH2 and other fibrotic genes, providing novel insight into how NRF2 controls the regulatory networks of IPF. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of NRF2 activators against pulmonary fibrosis and presents a novel therapeutic axis for prevention and intervention of fibrosis-related diseases.
Comparing two analytical approaches to evaluate access to fresh, healthy food: a case of the Indiana Uplands

In this paper, we develop a new approach to mapping food access in the U.S. We compare the standard USDA approach to a method that examines differences between actual food outlet locations and opti...
A Class of Optimal Transport Regularized Formulations with Applications to Wasserstein GANs

Optimal transport costs (e.g. Wasserstein distances) are used for fitting high-dimensional distributions. For example, popular artificial intelligence algorithms such as Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Networks (WGANs) can be interpreted as fitting a black-box simulator of structured data with certain features (e.g. images) using the Wasserstein distance. We propose a regularization of optimal transport costs and study its computational and duality properties. We obtain running time improvements for fitting WGANs with no deterioration in testing performance, relative to current benchmarks. We also derive finite sample bounds for the empirical Wasserstein distance from our regularization.
A Cross-sectional Study of Clinical COVID-19 Myocarditis

ABSTRACT Background COVID-19 myocarditis is becoming increasingly appreciated as a complication of COVID-19. There are significant hurdles to formal diagnosis with endomyocardial biopsy or cardiac MRI whether by resource limitations, patient instability, or isolation precautions. Therefore, further exploratory analysis is needed to clinically define the characteristics and spectrum of severity of COVID-19 myocarditis. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course, echocardiographic, and laboratory testing across suspected fulminant and non-fulminant clinically defined COVID-19 myocarditis. Methods In a cross-sectional observational study of 19 patients with clinically defined COVID-19 myocarditis, we report presenting symptoms, clinical course, laboratory findings, and echocardiographic results stratified by non-fulminant and fulminant myocarditis. Student t-test and univariate logistic regression are used to compare laboratory findings across fulminant and non-fulminant cases. Findings Among 19 patients, there was no prior history of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, or heart failure; 21.1% of patients died; and 78.9% of cases required supplemental oxygen. A significantly higher geometric mean D-dimer and ferritin were observed in patients with fulminant compared to non-fulminant suspected myocarditis. 26.3% of cases had pericardial effusions. 10 out of the 16 with available echocardiographic data had normal left ventricular systolic function. Conclusions In this cross-sectional analysis, we provide a practical clinical depiction of patients with clinical COVID-19 myocarditis across fulminant and non-fulminant cases. Statistically significant elevations in inflammatory markers in fulminant versus non-fulminant cases generate hypothesis regarding the role of systemic inflammation in driving severity of COVID-19 myocarditis.
Applying the Science of Habit Formation to Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Mental Illness.

Habits affect nearly every aspect of our physical and mental health. Although the science of habit formation has long been of interest to psychological scientists across disciplines, we propose tha...
Narrative inquiry and anti-racist teaching: Considering foundational questions about (re)storying in struggles for racial justice

Abstract The strength of narrative inquiry research on teaching (NI) is that it amplifies the voice of practitioners, supports listening carefully to those who work most closely with children, and resists the way many other research paradigms function in practice as elaborate preemptory rationalizations for dismissing teachers' insights as myopic and biased. One of its limitations lies in the uncontestable fact that teachers—like everyone—are not perfect, that the demography of the teaching profession over-represents the majority population in most nations, that all teachers work in contexts shaped by a continuing history of racism, and therefore teachers' reports on their experiences are often compromised by the institutionalized racism and settler colonialism in which they are embedded. Like other research methods, NI is vulnerable to the influence of neoliberal discourses that locate the cause of racism in individual attitudes and neglect the need for teachers to find ways to address the systemic and institutionalized forms of racism affecting children's lives. This essay examines the way NI scholars can reduce the chances of complicity with systemic racism while maintaining their core commitment to respecting teachers' experience as an important source of educational insight.
Isometric fatigue curves under varied intertrial recuperation periods.

Abstract Three experimental groups of 45 S's each were given 30 repeated isometric wrist flexion trials. Each trial consisted of a maximal 5-sec. effort followed by a rest period of 5,10, or 20 sec. In each recuperation group S's were divided into subgroups representing high, middle, and low levels of absolute strength. The data were analyzed by an analysis of variance of trends allowing statistical tests for best fitting trend components and trend differences between subgroups. Low level of strength groups always demonstrated a fatigue pattern significantly different from high and middle levels. High and middle levels displayed similar patterns differing only on absolute level of strength. Caution isefore indicated in definition and magnitude assessment of derived curve components based upon composite fatigue curves secured on unknown levels of strength. It seems unlikely that the same factors responsible for muscular fatigue can be operating in the same manner at different levels of isometric strength.
Split multipath routing with maximally disjoint paths in ad hoc networks

In recent years, routing has been the most focused area in ad hoc networks research. On-demand routing in particular, is widely developed in bandwidth constrained mobile wireless ad hoc networks because of its effectiveness and efficiency. Most proposed on-demand routing protocols however, build and rely on a single route for each data session. Whenever there is a link disconnection on the active route, the routing protocol must perform a route recovery process. In QoS routing for wired networks, multiple path routing is popularly used. Multiple routes are however, constructed using link-state or distance vector algorithms which are not well-suited for ad hoc networks. We propose an on-demand routing scheme called split multipath routing (SMR) that establishes and utilizes multiple routes of maximally disjoint paths. Providing multiple routes helps minimizing route recovery process and control message overhead. Our protocol uses a per-packet allocation scheme to distribute data packets into multiple paths of active sessions. This traffic distribution efficiently utilizes available network resources and prevents nodes of the route from being congested in heavily loaded traffic situations. We evaluate the performance of our scheme using extensive simulation.
Measuring the Economic Impacts of Convention Centers and Event Tourism: A Discussion of the Key Issues

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide policymakers, local planners, investors, and other interested parties with a discussion of economic impact studies concerning event tourism, conventions, and their infrastructure. This paper will discuss the main methodologies underlying economic impact studies, the factors that increase and decrease economic impact, and the components that can create a defendable study.
Importance of Future Hyperon Beta Decay Experiments

Recent results from the KTeV experiment at Fermilab using $\Xi^0$ hyperons have enabled a great leap in improving our understanding of elementary particle physics, especially with the first form-factor measurement from the semi-leptonic decay $\Xi^0 \to \Sigma^+ e^- \bar{\nu}$. This decay is a test of whether the standard model contains all of the needed parameters to fully describe hyperon beta decay. It was observed for the first time only in 1997 even though its importance had been explicitly stated in 1961 by the early theories of the standard model as formulated by N. Cabibbo. We have the ability to improve this measurement substantially by making the definitive form-factor measurement with a sample of 30,000 such decays from a forthcoming experiment, which will either show or rule out the existence any additional second class weak currents, an obviously important measurement allowing particle physics to finally put this question to rest. We also have the ability to make a measurement of hyperon compositeness by measuring the charged $\Sigma^{\pm}$ beta decay into $\Lambda^0$, and in addition to search for mass coupling terms in hyperon beta decays where the muon replaces the electron, important for determining the $g_3$ and $f_3$ form-factors. These are the important questions to answer in studying strange baryon decays, and are reviewed in this article.
TWO-PROTON CORRELATIONS RELATIVE TO THE REACTION PLANE

Studies of the collective flow of hadrons in all of its forms - directed, elliptic, radial is an important direction in the understanding of the physics of heavy-ion collisions1. The asymmetries observed in azimuthal distributions in momentum space imply underlying asymmetries in configuration space. But the experimental information about spatial properties of the flowing nuclear systems is at best sparse and is mostly obtained with pion measurements. The E877 collaboration reported2 that the parameters of the pion source created in Au+Au collisions at 10.8 AGeV/c appear to be different for particles emitted at different angles relative to the reaction plane. The information about space-time properties of the proton effective source involved in directed flow is totally absent. Since nucleons are the main carriers of the directed flow in nucleus nucleus collisions at the AGS energies, it is interesting to check whether the parameters of the nucleon source, probed with the help of two-proton correlations, exhibit any dependencies or asymmetries related to the reaction plane orientation. In this paper we present the preliminary results of the first study of the proton correlation function’s dependence on the orientation of the reaction plane.
How often does metronidazole induce pancreatitis

Two case reports of metronidazole-induced pancreatitis raised the question of how often this reaction occurs. Of 6485 patients who received 7704 computer-recorded prescriptions for metronidazole from a health maintenance organization, none were hospitalized for pancreatitis while taking the drug or within the following month. Accordingly, the upper 95% confidence limit for the occurrence rate of metronidazole-induced pancreatitis requiring hospitalization is 3.9/10,000 prescriptions and 4.6/10,000 recipients; the true rates are probably lower. Severe pancreatitis appears to be a rare adverse reaction to metronidazole.
The performance of current B-tree algorithms

Many concurrent B-tree algorithms have been proposed, but their performances have not yet been analyzed satisfactorily. When transaction processing systems require high levels of concurrency, a restrictive serialization technique on the B-tree index can cause a bottleneck. In this paper we present a framework for constructing analytical performance models of concurrent B-tree algorithms. The models can predict the response time and maximum throughput. We analyze a variety of locking algorithms including naive lock-coupling, optimistic descent, two-phase locking, and the Lehman-Yao algorithm. The analyses are validated by simulations of the algorithms on actual B-trees, as well as by simulations done by other researchers
The effect of distractor modality and processing code on human-automation interaction

We examined the effect of distractor characteristics (modality and processing code) on visual search performance and interaction with an automated decision aid. Multiple Resource Theory suggests that concurrent tasks that are processed similarly (e.g. two visual tasks) will cause greater interference than tasks that are not (e.g., a visual and auditory task). The impact of tasks that share processing and perceptual demands and their interaction with human-automation interaction is not established. In order to examine this, participants completed two blocks of a luggage screening simulation with or without the assistance of an automated aid. For one block, participants performed a concurrent distractor task drawn from one of four combinations of modality and processing code: auditory-verbal; auditory-spatial; visual-verbal; visual-spatial. We measured sensitivity, criterion setting, perceived workload, system trust, perceived system reliability, compliance, reliance, and confidence. Participants demonstrated highest sensitivity when performing with an auditory-spatial secondary task. Automation compliance was higher when the auditory-spatial distraction was present versus absent; however, system trust was highest in the auditory-verbal condition. Confidence (when disagreeing with the aid) was also highest when the distractor was auditory. This study indicates that some forms of auditory ‘distractors’ may actually help performance; these results further contribute to understanding how distractions influence performance when operators interact with automation and have implications for improved work environment and system design.
Plasma leptin concentrations and lipid profiles during nicotine abstinence.

Abstract Background Weight gain is a frequent consequence of smoking cessation. Leptin, the protein product of the obese gene, seems to regulate appetite and body fat stores. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in circulating leptin levels and lipid metabolism during nicotine abstinence (NA) and their role in post-cessation weight gain. Methods Six sedentary, weight-stable, nonobese adult smokers were studied before and after 7 days of NA while following a weight-maintenance diet of standard composition. All subjects refrained from smoking overnight (as assessed by breath CO) and were instructed to chew nicotine polacrilex gum (4 mg) hourly from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm [nicotine intake (Nl) day]. Venous blood samples were collected at 7:00 am (after an overnight fast) and 5:00 pm (pre-supper) on Nl day and again after 7 days of NA. Results Body weight did not change after 7 days of NA (72.0 ± 2.8 versus 71.8 ± 2.7 kg). Serum cotinine levels declined from 207 ± 40 ng/mL during Nl to undetectable levels during NA (P P = NS). Moreover, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids were unaffected by 7 days of NA. Although plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar during Nl and NA, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased by 15% after 7 days of NA (P Conclusions In this group of nonobese, adult smokers consuming an isocaloric diet, NA for 7 days did not affect body weight or circulating concentrations of leptin, glucose, insulin, or free fatty acids. In contrast, HDL cholesterol increased significantly after NA. These results indicate that under controlled dietary conditions, changes in leptin expression do not contribute to the weight gain that commonly accompanies smoking cessation.
Selection for resistance to Cochliobolus sativus in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.).

Cochliobolus sativus (Ito and Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dastur is a major foliar pathogen of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) which can greatly reduce the quantity and quality of forages available for animal consumption. A greenhouse screening program was initiated to determine the inheritance of resistance to C. sativus in tall fescue over several cycles of mass selection. Resistance to C. sativus in four tall fescue cultivars was increased with 2–3 cycles of mass selection. Realized heritabilities were low to moderate (0.04 to 0.58) indicating that environmental influences on the expression of resistance are quite high. Variances were unchanged by selection, indicating that further improvement should be possible. However, progress with mass selection can be expected to be slow. Lesion size was decreased in each cultivar by selecting for lesion coverage. Lesion size, being independent of inoculum load and therefore less subject to environmental variation, should be considered as an additional selection criteria to improve the rate of progress.
Correlations between structure and the superconducting transition temperature in Chevrel phase molybdenum chalcogenides

Abstract The superconducting transition temperatures for Chevrel phase materials, MxMo6X8(M=Pb, Sn, rare eart …, X = S, Se, Te) show wide variability even for a single phase, e.g. PbMo6S8 with reported Tc's of 9.8–14.7 K. The Tc is shown to be a linear function of the hexagonal crystallographic c a ratio when materials are grouped according to the formal charge on the ternary element M. This correlation is discussed in terms of the electron-phonon coupling and electronic density of states.
The intercalation of DNA double helices with doxorubicin and nagalomycin

A variety of molecules bind to DNA in its major and minor grooves, and some, like the anthraquinoids, are known to form intercalates in which these molecules are inserted directly into the double helix, between the bases. Several researchers have pointed to an electron transfer mechanism (leading to ion pairing) as one of the factors that could hold the intercalated entities like doxorubicin in place, but the bulky anthraquinone nogalamycin did not seem to become engaged in electron transfer. The molecular modeling program STR3DI32 was used to investigate the stabilities of these intercalated anthraquinone before any possible electron transfer has occurred.
Strategies for psychoendocrine studies of puberty

Abstract (1) Firm evidence exists for gonadal steroid and LHRH effects on behavior in laboratory animals and some indication of similar relations in humans is also available. (2) The dramatic endocrine changes of puberty may be partly responsible for the range of behaviors and moods of adolescents. (3) Existing evidence supporting psychoendocrine investigations of puberty and adolescence and questions of particular interest based on that evidence, are discussed.
Production of particle unstable light nuclei in 11.5 A GeV/c Au+Pt heavy-ion collisions

We report measurements from experiment E864 at the BNL-AGS of the yields of particle unstable light nuclei in central collisions of ${}^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ with beam momentum of $11.5A$ $\mathrm{GeV}/c$ on ${}^{197}\mathrm{Pt}.$ Yields are reported as a function of rapidity for the nuclei ${}^{4}\mathrm{H},$ ${}^{4}\mathrm{Li},$ ${}^{5}\mathrm{He},$ and ${}^{5}\mathrm{Li}$ in the rapidity range from ${y}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}$ to ${y}_{\mathrm{c}.\mathrm{m}.}+0.8$ and in the transverse momentum range of approximately $0.1l~{p}_{T}/Al~0.4\mathrm{GeV}/c.$ The yields are compared to previously reported yields and trends for the production of stable light nuclei. The nonobservation of two excited states ${}^{5}{\mathrm{He}}_{16.75\mathrm{MeV}}^{*}$ and ${}^{5}{\mathrm{Li}}_{16.66\mathrm{MeV}}^{*}$ is used to set an upper limit on the yields of these states.
Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis as a biocide of blackfly larvae (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Abstract Thirteen strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were bioassayed against late-instar larvae of field-collected Simulium vittatum . All 13 strains caused significant blackfly mortality. The mortalities ranged from 64% for the HD 225 strain to 88% for HD 39 at 10 ppm for a 24-hr exposure period. A minimum 24 hr of exposure to a minimum concentration of 10 ppm was required to produce mortalities approximating 90%. The LC 50 values for the HD 39 and HD 225 strains were 1.1 and 1.0 ppm, respectively.
Angiotensin II Induces Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2- and Calcineurin/Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cell-Dependent Transcriptional Activation in Vascular Myocytes

It is well known that angiotensin II (Ang II) is implicated in the phenotypic modulation and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). To study the mechanisms by which Ang II contributes to the pathological changes of VSMCs, we examined whether Ang II stimulated myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)- and calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT)-dependent transcriptional activation of genes in VSMCs. Ang II increased the DNA binding activity of MEF2A and its expression at the protein level. Ang II induced c-jun promoter activity, and this increase was inhibited by dominant-negative mutants of MEF2A and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 but not by calcineurin inhibitors. Ang II stimulated NFAT DNA binding activity and NFAT-dependent gene transcription, and these effects of Ang II were inhibited by calcineurin inhibitors. Furthermore, Ang II induced the promoter activity of the nonmuscle-type myosin heavy chain B gene, which we used as a marker of the dedifferentiated state of VSMCs, and this increase was inhibited by calcineurin inhibitors but not by the dominant-negative mutants of MEF2A or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6. Finally, Ang II increased protein synthesis, and this increase was inhibited by infection with an adenovirus construct that expresses the dominant-negative mutant of MEF2A but not by calcineurin inhibitors. These results suggest that Ang II stimulates the MEF2- and calcineurin/NFAT-dependent pathways and that these pathways have distinct roles in VSMCs.
DNA sequencing by mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry has the potential to replace gel electrophoresis for fast DNA sequencing. In this tutorial paper, it is discussed how far mass spectrometry of DNA has come since the advent of electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and how much remains to be done before mass spectrometry will be a useful tool for DNA sequencing. A brief description of MALDI and ESI mass spectrometric analysis of DNA is presented along with the different strategies for DNA sequencing using mass spectrometry. These include mass spectrometric analysis to replace gel separation in Sanger sequencing, enzymatic ladder sequencing and sequencing by gas-phase fragmentation. The future role of mass spectrometry in DNA sequencing in the Human Genome Project and beyond is also discussed.
276: The effects of gestational weight gain by body mass index on obstetric and neonatal outcomes

AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES JOAN CRANE, JOANNE WHITE, DONNA HUTCHENS, LORRAINE BURRAGE, PHILLIP MURPHY, Memorial University, Eastern Health, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, Eastern Health, Provincial Perinatal Program, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gestational weight gain, in different body mass index(BMI) classes, on obstetric and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cohort study using the Newfoundland and Labrador Perinatal Database April 2001-April 2007 (5377 women) compared obstetric and neonatal outcomes, based on gestational weight gain (Health Canada guidelines), in underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese (BMI 40.00) women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for maternal age, parity, smoking, partnered status and gestational age were performed, and ORs and 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS: Only 30.6% women gained the recommended amount of weight, with 52.3% gaining more than recommended(excess weight gain) and 17.1% less than recommended(poor weight gain). In women with normal BMI, excess weight gain was associated with increased risks of gestational hypertension(1.27,95%CI1.08-1.49), augmentation of labour(1.09,95%CI1.011.18), length of stay 5days(2.49,95%CI1.19-5.23), neonatal metabolic problems(1.32,95%CI0.99-1.76) and birthweight(BW) 4.0kg(1.21,95%CI 1.101.34). In overweight women, excess weight gain was associated with increased rates of gestational hypertension(1.31,95%CI1.10-1.55), induction(1.11,95%CI1.001.23) and BW 4.0kg(1.86, 95%CI1.02-3.40). In obese and morbidly obese women combined, excess weight gain was associated with increased rates of Cesarean delivery(1.00,95%CI1.00-1.20), BW 4kg(1.20,95%CI1.07-1.34) and neonatal metabolic problems(1.31,95%CI1.00-1.70). In morbidly obese women, poor weight gain was associated with lower rates of induction(0.44,95%CI0.19-1.01) and epidural use(0.34,95%CI 0.12-0.95). In overweight, obese and morbidly obese women combined, as well as in normal and overweight women, poor weight gain was associated with BW 2.5kg. CONCLUSION: The effects of gestational weight gain depend on the woman’s BMI. A weight gain of 15-25lb appears appropriate for obese and morbidly obese women, in order to minimize the risk of Cesarean delivery and optimize neonatal outcomes.
Evaluation of Microemulsions of Cationic Surfactants and a Polyoxyethylene Cosurfactant for Electrolytic Dechlorinations of Chlorobiphenyls

Abstract Three microemulsions containing cosurfactant 2-(2-hexyloxyethoxy)ethanol, 1% aqueous KBr, dodecane, and either didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with conductivities and viscosities appropriate for electrolytic applications were prepared. These fluids were characterized further by measuring diffusion coefficients of electrochemical probes and pyrene fluorescence peak ratios characteristic of polarity and viscosity of the oil phase. A microemulsion of DDAB/2-(2-hexyloxyethoxy)ethanol/1% aq. KBr/dodecane (7.3/36/22.7/34 by weight) had the highest conductivity and lowest viscosity and gave the most positive reduction potential for 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl of the four-component fluids examined. Electrochemical catalytic reduction of 4,4′-dichlorobiphenyl was done with this fluid, a lead electrode, and zinc phthalocyanine as catalyst with only a small loss of current efficiency compared to a previously used 3-component 21% DDAB microemulsion. The four-component 7.3% DDAB microemulsion was prepared at half the cost of the three-component 21% DDAB microemulsion. On the basis of diffusion, conductivity, and fluorescence studies, the structure of the 7.3% DDAB microemulsion is probably bicontinuous.
Intranigral Lentiviral Delivery of Dominant-negative TNF Attenuates Neurodegeneration and Behavioral Deficits in Hemiparkinsonian rats

Neuroinflammatory processes have been implicated in the progressive loss of ventral midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons that give rise to Parkinson's disease (PD), a late-onset movement disorder that affects 2% of the population over the age of 70 years. We have shown earlier, in two rat models of PD, that inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) through nigral infusion of dominant-negative (DN-TNF) protein (XENP345) attenuates DA neuron loss. The objectives of this study were to develop a constitutive lentiviral vector encoding dominate-negative TNF, and to determine whether a gene therapy approach to deliver DN-TNF directly into the rodent substantia nigra could prevent or attenuate neurotoxin-induced DA neuron loss and associated behavioral deficits. Here we demonstrate that a single injection of lentivirus-expressing DN-TNF into rat substantia nigra, administered concomitant with a striatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesion, results in sufficiently high expression of inhibitor in vivo to attenuate both DA neuron loss and behavioral deficits resulting from striatal dopamine depletion. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of dominant-negative TNF gene transfer as a novel neuroprotective strategy to prevent or delay nigrostriatal pathway degeneration. This strategy holds the potential for therapeutic application in the treatment of PD.
Tomato response to long-term potassium and lime application on a sandy ultisol high in non-exchangeable potassium

Abstract In a ten‐year study of potassium (K) and lime application to a Kalmia sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult), a soil high in nonexchangeable K, corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Herr.] have not responded to applied K. The objectives of this study were to determine if a high K‐requiring crop such as tomato (Lycocersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Redpak) would respond to KCl fertilizer rate or lime type (dolomitic, calcitic, and mixed) and rate on such a soil. Potassium was applied at 0, 56, and 112 kg K/ha every year for ten years. Lime was applied at 0, 2, and 9 Mg/ha in calcitic, mixed, and dolomitic forms twice in ten years (1970 and 1973). In 1980, the tenth year of the study, tomato fruit was harvested by hand once‐over to simulate machine harvest and divided into four maturity groups by color. Soil pH was higher with dolomitic than calcitic lime. Soil K saturation was not influenced by lime rate or type. Fruit yield and leaf phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and ma...
Cell Therapy in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Management of advanced obstructive vascular disease affecting the extremities poses tremendous challenges for physicians and patients. Peripheral arterial disease is often a consequence of obstructive atherosclerosis affecting the ileofemoral circulation but is also rarely a result of nonatherosclerotic conditions such as thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). Consequences range from the presence of asymptomatic obstruction to intermittent claudication, development of rest pain, ulceration, gangrene, and amputation. A relatively new and promising approach using cell therapy has recently been developed to treat intractable symptoms related to ischemia in subjects with peripheral arterial disease in whom conventional medical therapy and revascularization modalities have been exhausted.