cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Tryptophan and Cyproheptadine on Food Intake

Whether tryptophan in the usual dose found in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions caused a decrease in food intake was investigated in 16 adult male Fischer 344 rats. A jugular venous catheter was placed, and patency was maintained with a continuous infusion of normal saline at 3 ml/hr. After a 10-day recovery period, eight normal saline control rats were sacrificed and the remaining eight rats were given a parenteral nutrition solution (PN-50) at 3 ml/hr, providing 50% of the rat's daily energy requirement as 5% dextrose and 2% Intralipid. On day 14, study rats were further divided into two subgroups. Subgroup A received tryptophan (180 mg/day) added to the solution for 5 days. Subgroup B received the serotonin-receptor blocker, cyproheptadine 24 mg/kg/day, continuously for 5 days, and on day 16, tryptophan (0.25% = 180 mg/kg/day) was added to the solution for 3 days. Chow and water was continuously available and spontaneous food intake was measured daily. Study rats were sacrificed on day 19. Plasma amino acids and insulin and whole brain biogenic amines were compared with those in control rats using Student's t-test. With administration of PN-50, spontaneous food intake decreased to about 60% compared with the pre-PN level. The addition of tryptophan to the continuous infusion of PN-50 did not decrease spontaneous food intake further.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exceptional Suffering? Enumeration and Vernacular Accounting in the HIV-Positive Experience

Drawing on 17 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Freetown, Sierra Leone, I highlight the recursive relationship between Sierra Leone as an exemplary setting and HIV as an exceptional disease. Through this relationship, I examine how HIV-positive individuals rely on both enumerative knowledge (seroprevalence rates) and vernacular accounting (NGO narratives of vulnerability) to communicate the uniqueness of their experience as HIV sufferers and to demarcate the boundaries of their status. Various observers' enumerative and vernacular accounts of Sierra Leone's decade-long civil conflict, coupled with global health accounts of HIV as exceptional, reveal the calculus of power through which global health projects operate. The contradictions between the exemplary and the exceptional-and the accompanying tension between quantitative and qualitative facts-are mutually constituted in performances and claims made by HIV-positive individuals themselves.
Simplicial Gravity In Dimension Greater Than Two

Abstract We consider two issues in the DT model of quantum gravity. First, it is shown that the triangulation space for D > 3 is dominated by triangulations containing a single singular (D − 3)-simplex composed of vertices with divergent dual volumes. Second we study the ergodicity of current simulation algorithms. Results from runs conducted close to the phase transition of the four-dimensional theory are shown. We see no strong indications of ergodicity breaking in the simulation and our data support recent claims that the transition is most probably first order. Furthermore, we show that the critical properties of the system are determined by the dynamics of remnant singular vertices.
A COMPARISON OF THE RESPONSE OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS OF THE MOUSE AND GUINEA PIG TO EXTRACTS OF PREGNANT SOW OVARIES1

THE response of the pubic symphysis of the estrogen-primed mouse to relaxin-containing extracts of pregnant rabbit serum (PRS) and of pregnant sow ovaries (PSO) has been reported previously (Kliman, Salhanick and Zarrow, 1953). Significant symphyseal separations were obtained with both types of extracts, although some differences were noted in the slopes of the dose-response curves of preparations from each of these two sources. However, roentgenographic measurement of the average increments in pubic separation produced by single doses of such extracts gave reliable quantitative determinations of activity. The effectiveness of crude extracts was confirmed by their ability to produce significant relaxation in all treated mice, and to reproduce the rate of separation which normally occurs during pregnancy. Subsequently, studies were made of the action, on the pubic symphysis of the mouse, of relaxin preparations of different specific activities. It has been found that some preparations which are very potent...
Advanced semiconductor lasers in the 3-10 μm wavelength range

Since their first discovery, semiconductor infrared lasers have found many varied applications in the military, communications, medical, and industrial sectors. In this paper, the current status of semiconductor infrared lasers will be reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and techniques will be discussed.
Run-time detection of potential deadlocks for programs with locks, semaphores, and condition variables

Concurrent programs are notorious for containing errors that are difficult to reproduce and diagnose. A common kind of concurrency error is deadlock, which occurs when some threads are permanently blocked. This paper defines a run-time notion of potential deadlock in programs with locks, semaphores, and condition variables. Informally, an execution has potential for a deadlock if some feasible permutation of the execution results in a deadlock. Feasibility of a permutation is determined by ordering constraints amongst events in the execution. Previous work on run-time detection of potential deadlocks are for programs that use locks. This paper presents run-time algorithms to detect potential deadlocks in programs that use locks (block structured as well as non block structured), semaphores, and condition variables.
The nature of restructuring in insight: An individual-differences approach

The insightful problem-solving process has been proposed to involve three main phases: an initial representation phase, in which the solver inappropriately represents the problem; an initial search through the faulty problem space that may lead to impasse; and a postimpasse restructuring phase. Some theories propose that the restructuring phase involves controlled search processes, whereas other theories propose that restructuring is achieved through the automatic redistribution of activation in long-term memory. In this study, we used correlations between working memory (WM) span measures and problemsolving success to test the predictions of these different theories. One group of participants received a set of insight problems that allowed for a large initial faulty search space, whereas another group received a matched set that constrained the initial faulty search space in order to isolate the restructuring phase of the insightful process. The results suggest that increased ability to control attention (as measured by WM span tasks) predicts an individual’s ability to successfully solve problems that involve both the initial search phase and the restructuring phase. However, individual differences in ability to control attention do not predict success on problems that isolate the restructuring phase. These results are interpreted as supporting an automatic-redistribution-of-activation account of restructuring.
Cardiac malformations and alteration of TGFβ signaling system in diabetic embryopathy

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular defects are the most common anomalies in diabetic embryopathy. The mechanisms underlying the manifestation of the defects remain to be addressed. METHODS: Female mice were administered streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Embryos from euglycemic (control) and hyperglycemic groups were examined for morphological and histological evaluation of malformations. Cell proliferation and programmed cell death (apoptosis) were assessed using mitotic markers (BrdU and Ki67) and TUNEL assay, respectively. Expression of eight four genes in the TGFβ signaling system was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Structural abnormalities were observed in the heart and neural tube in diabetic groups, with significantly higher malformation rates than in control groups. Moreover, malformation rates in the heart were higher than those in the neural tube. Cardiac abnormalities including dilated heart tube, smaller ventricles, conotruncal stenosis, and abnormal heart looping were seen during early morphogenesis prior to cardiac septation [embryonic day (E) 9.5–11.5]. Histological examinations showed hypoplastic myocardium and endocardial cushions. After cardiac septation (E15.5), ventricular septal defects were observed, which were manifested in the non-muscular portion of the septum. Significant decreases in cell proliferation with no differences in apoptosis were observed in the myocardium and endocardial cushions in diabetic compared to control groups. Factors in the TGFβ signaling that regulate heart development were downregulated by maternal diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal diabetes causes malformations in the heart of the embryo. The heart is more susceptible to maternal diabetic insults than the neural tube. Malformations in the heart prior to septation are associated with decreased cell proliferation, but not increased apoptosis. The TGFβ signaling is involved in cardiac malformations in diabetic embryopathy. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:97–105, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Yours in Blackness: Blocks, Corners, and Other Desire Settings

From “Black Collectivities: A Conference,” held May 3–4, 2013, at Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator. This article attends to the various loci that promote black collectivity. Often the instances of black collectivity it maps are physically grounded in a prime setting, such as “the corner” and “the block,” pointing to the possibility of new forms and formations that allow for conscious placing, burrowing, and settling. The work of Theaster Gates serves as a point of departure. The act of collecting can be interpreted as a deep structural expression in Gates’s Dorchester Projects and Black Cinema House, which involve various modes of collecting and collectivizing. Such activities may expose “soft collectivities,” which are informally construed, highly representational, and performative.
Minimum-phase LU factorization preconditioner for Toeplitz matrices

A new preconditioner is proposed for the solution of an N X N Toeplitz system TNx equals b, where TN can be symmetric indefinite or nonsymmetric, by preconditioned iterative methods. The preconditioner FN is obtained based on factorizing the generating function T(z) into the product of two terms corresponding, respectively, to minimum-phase causal and anticausal systems and therefore called the minimum-phase LU (MPLU) factorization preconditioner. Due to the minimum-phase property, (parallel)FN-1(parallel) is bounded. For rational Toeplitz TN with generating function T(z) equals A(z-1)/B(z-1) + C(z)/D(z), where A(z), B(z), C(z), and D(z) are polynomials of orders p1, q1, p2, and q2, we show that the eigenvalues of FN-1TN are repeated exactly at 1 except at most (alpha) F outliers, where (alpha) F depends on p1, q1, p2, q2, and the number (omega) of the roots of T(z) equals A(z-1)D(z) + B(z-1)C(z) outside the unit circle. A preconditioner KN in circulant form generalized from the symmetric case is also presented for comparison.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of disk distension to diagnose pain of spinal origin

I n the neurological literature there is a preoccupation in some sectors with the neurological complications of disk disease. If a disk does not compress either a nerve root or the spinal cord, it is not important. The fact is that spinal axis pain, without consideration of any neurological complications, is today a major public health problem that robs many in our society of a happy and productive existence. The issues at the heart of Bogduk's focus article are therefore vital. First, what role does the diseased disk in and of itself play in generating spinal axis pain? Second, can injection into the disk aid in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal axis pain?
Prediction of wrist arteriovenous fistula maturation with preoperative vein mapping with ultrasonography.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the preoperative minimal cephalic vein size in the forearm was predictive of successful wrist fistula maturation to a functional hemodialysis access. Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients underwent evaluation before surgery with ultrasound scan imaging to map the entire cephalic vein in preparation for the construction of an arteriovenous fistula at the wrist. Measurements of the vein diameter were obtained from the ultrasound scan images at eight representative sites. Patients were clinically followed to determine maturation of the fistula to provide a functional hemodialysis access. The smallest diameter of the cephalic vein then was used as a preoperative predictor of fistula maturation. Results: Successful maturation of the arteriovenous fistula was achieved in 22 of the procedures (50%). Cephalic veins with a minimal diameter of 2.0 mm or less were used for anastamosis in 19 patients (43%), and three of these procedures (16%) led to a functional access site. The remaining 25 patients (57%) had minimal cephalic vein diameters greater than 2.0 mm, producing a successful maturation in 19 of the fistula creations (76%). A significantly higher rate of successful fistula maturation in those patients with a preoperative minimal cephalic vein size greater than 2.0 mm was realized ( P = .0002, χ 2 test, with Yates correction for continuity). Conclusion: In patients with a minimal cephalic vein size of 2.0 mm or less, a procedure other than wrist fistula should be considered for optimization of dialysis access. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:460-3.)
A thermoviscoelastic model for amorphous shape memory polymers: Incorporating structural and stress relaxation

Abstract A thermoviscoelastic constitutive model is developed for amorphous shape memory polymers (SMP) based on the hypothesis that structural and stress relaxation are the primary molecular mechanisms of the shape memory effect and its time-dependence. This work represents a new and fundamentally different approach to modeling amorphous SMPs. A principal feature of the constitutive model is the incorporation of the nonlinear Adam–Gibbs model of structural relaxation and a modified Eyring model of viscous flow into a continuum finite–deformation thermoviscoelastic framework. Comparisons with experiments show that the model can reproduce the strain–temperature response, the temperature and strain-rate dependent stress–strain response, and important features of the temperature dependence of the shape memory response. Because the model includes structural relaxation, the shape memory response also exhibits a dependence on the cooling and heating rates.
An experimental study of compression failure of fibrous laminated composites in the presence of stress gradients

Mechanisms of failure in laminates in the presence of a stress raiser were experimentally studied. The damage initiation and propagation throughout the entire load history were examined via real-time holographic interferometry and photomicrography of the hole surface. Multilayered composite flat plates made of T300/BP907 and IM7/8551-7 were tested. It is shown that the failure is initiated as a localized instability in the 0-deg plies at the hole surface approximately at right angles to the loading direction. A series of events is described which culminates in the complete loss of flexural stiffness of each of the delaminated portions, leading to catastrophic failure of the plate.
Purification and characterization of the gag gene products of avian-type C retroviruses by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract A rapid and efficient method for separating the translational products of the gag gene of avian-type C retroviruses by employing a high-resolution gel permeation column, high-pressure liquid chromatography and volatile solvents has been described. The viral structural components p27, p19, and p15 have been purified in milligram quantities to near homogeneity and in high yields. The purity of the products of separation has been confirmed by amino acid analysis and amino and carboxy terminal amino acid sequence determination, and their molecular integrity was established by immunological methods.
Mechanism of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose: Effects of major structural features of cellulose on enzymatic hydrolysis

The susceptibility of cellulose to enzymatic hydrolysis is affected by the structural features of cellulosic materials. It has been suggested that the crystallinity and surface area of cellulose fibers are the most important structural features in this regard. This study investigated in depth the relative effects of these two structural features upon the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and the change of the structural parameters of cellulose during the course of hydrolysis. It was found that the hydrolysis rate is mainly dependent upon the fine structural order of cellulose which can best be represented by the crystallinity rather than the simple surface area. Monitoring the changes in the structural parameters during the course of reaction showed that surface area is not a major limiting factor that slows hydrolysis in its late stages as has been suggested. This information concerning structural features is used to elucidate the mode of action of cellulase.
Patients' preferences for risk disclosure and role in decision making for invasive medical procedures.

To assess the level of involvement patients want in decision making related to the acceptance or rejection of an invasive medical intervention and whether their preference for decision making is related to their preference for qualitative (verbal) or quantitative (numeric) information about the risks of the procedure. Cross-sectional study using structured interviews of consecutive patients seen for continuity care visits in a general medicine clinic. A university-based Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Four hundred and sixty-seven consecutive patients with a mean age of 65.2 years (SD 10.70 years, range 31-88 years) and with a mean of 12.6 years (SD 2.96 years, range 0-24 years) of formal education. In the context of an invasive diagnostic or therapeutic intervention, patients were asked whether they preferred patient-based, physician-based, or shared patient-physician decision making. Patients were asked to give the ratio of patient-to-physician decision making they preferred, and whether they preferred discussions using words, numbers, or both. Of 467 subjects, 318 (68%) preferred shared decision making; 100 (21.4%) preferred physician-based decision making; and 49 (10.5%) preferred patient-based decision making. In terms of risk disclosure, 436 (93.4%) preferred that their physician disclose risk information to them. Of these 436 patients, 42.7% preferred disclosure of information about the probability of adverse outcomes using qualitative (verbal) expressions of probability; 35.7% preferred disclosure in terms of quantitative (numeric) expressions of probability; and 9.8% preferred disclosure in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Younger patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; confidence interval [CI] 0.93, 0.99), patients who had at least one stroke (OR 3.03; CI 1.03, 8.90), and patients who preferred to discuss risk information with their physicians in terms of numbers (OR 2.39; CI 1.40, 4.06) tended to prefer patient-based or shared decision making. Male veterans consistently preferred shared patient-physician decision making in the context of invasive medical interventions.
Search for Organic Material in Lunar Fines by Mass Spectrometry

Three kinds of experiments were performed in an effort to detect and identify organic compounds present in the lunar material (fines 10,086): (i) vaporization of the volatilizable components directly into the ion source of a high-resolution mass spectrometer, and (ii and iii) extraction of the material with organic solvents before and after dissolving most of the inorganic substrate in hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. The extracts were investigated by a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Although a number of organic compounds or compound types have been detected, none appears to be indigenous to the lunar surface.
Successive reversals of a visual social stimulus

A high rate and a near-zero rate of response of one monkey were successively reversed as the occasion for reinforcement and nonreinforcement of another monkey. Both rates of response were discriminated by the second monkey. The acquisition of the later discriminations in the sequence of reversals was more rapid than the earlier discriminations. These results indicate that a wide range of rates of response may serve as social stimuli and that the learning-set (learning-to-learning) phenomenon appears to be relevant to social as well as nonsocial episodes.
Adaptation to invisible gratings and the site of binocular rivalry suppression

THE visual system can be described usefully as a hierarchical series of functional stages, the initial stage being physical impingement of the stimulus and the terminal stage being visual perception. Psychophysical investigations typically provide rigorous specification of the first and last stages in the sequence, but a more complete explanation clearly must include information about intermediate stages as well. At present, however, very few techniques are available for analysing inferentially the intermediate stages1. By incorporating two separate phenomena, binocular rivalry and visual aftereffects, into one paradigm, we describe here another technique for inferential analysis of the stages leading to vision. This technique indicates the sequence of stages underlying both phenomena.
Nanofabricated periodic arrays of silver elliptical discs as SERS substrates

Signal enhancement observed in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is attributable to the presence of noble-metal nanostructures on substrate surfaces. The rational development of SERS-active substrates depends critically on the homogeneity and intensity of surface plasmon resonances, properties that are strongly dependent on both the morphology and dielectric properties of the metals and composite materials making up the SERS substrates. Enhancement can be controlled by the shape, size, and spacing of metallic nanoparticles. Previous studies in our group have shown that arrays of elliptical nanodiscs have promising geometries for this purpose. Using electron beam lithography (EBL), we fabricate close-packed arrays of these discs with lateral dimensions ranging from 300:50 to 300:300 nm (long axis : short axis). The arrays are composed of a negative photoresist that, once the lithography process is complete, are coated with a noble metal through physical vapor deposition (PVD). In this work, optimum thickness and deposition rate of noble metal are determined for these substrates. The lithographically produced nanopatterns are studied by Raman spectroscopy to examine the effect of altering the elliptical aspect ratio on SERS activity, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to examine pattern surfaces post lithographic development and post noble-metal deposition. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to inspect the roughness of substrate surfaces. Reproducibility between different arrays of the same pattern ranges from 12 to 28%. Homogeneity of our uniform-morphology EBL/PVD-fabricated substrates is examined and compared to our random-morphology polymer nanocomposite substrates. Using rhodamine 6G as an analyte, an increase in SERS signal is noted as the aspect ratio of ellipses goes from 6:1 to 6:6. Our experimental data, in terms of trends in SERS activity, correlate with trends in field enhancements calculated using a simple electrostatic model and with the magnitude of the broad red-shifted spectral continuum observed for the substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mid-infrared photoconductivity in InAs quantum dots

Mid-infrared photoconductivity in self-assembled InAs quantum dots is reported. By embedding the InAs dots in an AlxGa1−xAs matrix, normal incidence photoconductivity has been observed at a range of wavelengths in the mid-infrared and is attributed to single carrier transitions out of the dots. The optical response of the quantum dots is investigated for several different dot structures.
Childhood overweight and maternal depressive symptoms

Aim: Given the rising global prevalence of overweight associated with the nutrition transition, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether maternal depressive symptoms are related to overweight in infants aged 6–24 months. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study included 589 mother–child dyads from low-income urban communities in Teresina, Piaui, northeast Brazil. While adjusting for sociodemographic and biological determinants of child growth, the study assessed the relationship between mothers’ depressive symptom scores, measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and child weight-for-height using multivariable logistic regression. Child overweight was calculated with the World Health Organization growth curves using 85th and 95th percentile cutoffs of the weight-for-height z-score (WHZ). Results: Children of mothers with high depressive symptoms had 1.7 and 2.3 higher odds of being over WHZ cutoffs for the 85th and 95th percentile, respectively. Child age between 18 and 24 months (compared with children 6–12 months old), being low birth weight, not receiving the Family Health Programme and breastfeeding between 6 and 12 months (compared with 85th%). Conclusion: Results suggest that maternal depressive symptoms are related to overweight in children aged 6–24 months.
Characteristics of progenitor cells derived from adult ciliary body in mouse, rat, and human eyes.

PURPOSE To isolate and characterize progenitor cells derived from adult mammalian ciliary body. METHODS The authors isolated progenitor cells from the ciliary body of adult mice, rats, and human cadaver eyes and determined quantitative growth characteristics of groups of progenitor cells called neurosphere (NS) cells, including individual cell diameter, NS diameter, percentage of NS-forming cells, and cell number per eye in mouse, rat, and human eyes. The immunolabeling and ultrastructure of NS cells were investigated by confocal and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Average diameters of individual cells and neurospheres after 1 week in culture were similar in mice, rats, and humans (cell diameters: 22 +/- 1.1, 21 +/- 0.3, 25 +/- 0.4 mum; NS diameters: 139 +/- 22, 137 +/- 9, 141 +/- 11 mum, respectively). Mean numbers of cells per NS were estimated to be 1183 in mice, 5360 in rats, and 685 in humans. Molecules that were identified by immunolabeling in NS cells included nestin, Chx-10, vimentin, GFAP, and Pax-6. Thy-1 was expressed in some NS cells. Ultrastructurally, NS cells displayed abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and many cellular processes but no characteristics of mature retinal neurons or glia. CONCLUSIONS Progenitor cells from adult mammalian ciliary body have significant, but limited, proliferation potential and express markers characteristic of other progenitor cells and seen during early retinal development. The ciliary body could be a source of cells for transplantation in experimental rodent eyes and for autotransplantation in human eyes.
Effects of prenatal cocaine/polydrug exposure on substance use by age 15.

Objective Examined effects of prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) on tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine use by age 15.
LightShop: interactive light field manipulation and rendering

Light fields can be used to represent an object's appearance with a high degree of realism. However, unlike their geometric counterparts, these image-based representations lack user control for manipulating them. We present a system that allows a user to interactively manipulate, composite and render multiple light fields. LightShop is a modular system consisting of three parts: 1) a set of functions that allow a user to model a scene containing multiple light fields, 2) a ray-shading language that describes how an image should be constructed from a set of light fields, and 3) a real-time light field rendering system in OpenGL that can plug into existing 3D engines as a GLSL shader.We show applications in digital photography and we demonstrate how to integrate light fields into a modern space-flight game using LightShop.
Susceptibility of electronic insulating polyimides to microbial degradation

We used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate microbial degradation of polyimides used as insulators in electronic packaging. The microbial inoculum was a fungal consortium isolated from degraded polyimides. Microorganisms grew on these polymers yielding distinctive EIS spectra indicative of failure. Degradation appeared to occur in a number of steps. Two distinctive stages in the decline of film resistance were observed in the inoculated EIS cells within 17 and 72 days after inoculation. The early stage of resistance decrease may be related to the ingress of water molecules and ionic species into the polymeric materials, whereas the second stage probably resulted from partial degradation of the polymers by fungal growth on the polymer film. The active fungal consortium was comprised of Aspergillus versicolor, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and a Chaetomium species. All of these fungi are common environmental contaminats. The relationship between changes of impedance spectra and microbial degradation of the coatings was supported by scanning electron microscopic observations of fungi on the surface of the inoculated polyimides. Our data indicate that the insulating polyimides used in electronic applications are susceptible to fungal degradation under appropriate environmental conditions, particularly in the presence of moisture. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Signal Modeling of Turbulence-distorted Imagery

Understanding turbulence effects on wave propagation and imaging systems has been an active research area for more than 50 years. Conventional atmospheric optics methods use statistical models to analyze image degradation effects that are caused by turbulence. In this paper, we intend to understand atmospheric turbulence effects using a deterministic signal processing and imaging theory point of view and modeling. The model simulates the formed imagery by a lens by tracing the optical rays from the target through a band of turbulence. We examine the nature of the turbulence-degraded image, and identify its characteristics as the parameters of the band of turbulence, e.g., its width, angle, and index of refraction, are varied. Image degradation effects due to turbulence, such as image blurring and image dancing, are revealed by this signal modeling. We show that in fact these phenomena can be related not only to phase errors in the frequency domain of the image but also a 2D modulation effect in the image spectrum. Results with simulated and realistic data are provided.
The neurotransmitter dopamine modulates vascular permeability in the endothelium

Background: Vascular permeability factor/Vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF), a multifunctional cytokine, is a potent inducer of vascular permeability, an important early step in angiogenesis. It is known that the neurotransmitter dopamine can inhibit VPF/VEGF mediated angiogenesis, in particular microvascular permeability, but the effectors of this action remain unclear. Results: Here, we define the signaling pathway modulated by dopamine that inhibits VPF/VEGF induced vascular permeability in endothelial cells. Signals from VPF/VEGF lead to changes in the phosphorylation of tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) and adherens junction proteins like VE-cadherin and associated catenins, thus weakening endothelial cell-cell adhesion and increasing vascular permeability. We found VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) to be part of a multiprotein complex involving ZO-1, VE-cadherin and β-catenin. VPF/VEGF induced phosphorylations of VE-cadherin, β-catenin and ZO-1 were inhibited by dopamine treatment. Association of occludin with ZO-1 and ZO-1 with VE-cadherin were significantly inhibited by dopamine in VEGF treated cells. Furthermore, we identified Src as an important target for dopamine-mediated inhibition of VPF/VEGF induced permeability. Conclusion: Taken together, our results provide molecular insights of dopamine function in the vascular endothelium and suggest a central role of Src in regulating key molecules that control vascular permeability.
Bigger And Better? Scaling Up And Innovation In Health Aid

As the volume of health aid to developing countries increases and allocations shift toward specific disease burdens, issues of allocation efficiency become more important to the achievement of better health outcomes. This paper examines (1) whether health aid—traditional and innovative—corresponds to recipients’ needs and priorities and (2) how the terms of aid affect its efficiency. We find that there is considerable scope for improvement through consolidation, improvement of terms, and increased attention to the efficient allocation of the marginal dollar of aid.
Validation of Heavy-Water Stable Isotope Probing for the Characterization of Rapidly Responding Soil Bacteria

(H2 18 O-SIP) to identify bacteria that respond to soil rewetting. First, we conducted experiments to address uncertainties regarding the H2 18 O-SIP method. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), we determined that oxygen from H2 18 O was incorporated into all structural components of DNA. Although this incorporation was uneven, we could effectively separate 18 O-labeled and unlabeled DNAs derived from laboratory cultures and environmental samples that were incubated with H2 18 O. We found no evidence for ex vivo exchange of oxygen atoms between DNA and extracellular H2O, suggesting that 18 O incorporation into DNA is relatively stable. Furthermore, the rate of 18 O incorporation into bacterial DNA was high (within 48 to 72 h), coinciding with pulses of CO2 generated from soil rewetting. Second, we examined shifts in the bacterial composition of grassland soils following rewetting, using H2 18 O-SIP and bar-coded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes. For some groups of soil bacteria, we observed coherent responses at a relatively course taxonomic resolution. Following rewetting, the relative recovery of Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria increased, while the relative recovery of Chloroflexi and Deltaproteobacteria decreased. Together, our results suggest that H 2 18 O-SIP is effective at identifying metabolically active bacteria that influence soil carbon dynamics. Our results contribute to the ecological classification of soil bacteria while providing insight into some of the functional traits that influence the structure and function of microbial communities under dynamic soil moisture regimes.
Abortion, unwanted childbearing, and mental health.

SummAry There is a substantial literature of correlational findings from studies in developed countries where abortion is legal that are riddled with methodological problems and selective biases that exaggerate post-pregnancy mental health risks of abortion while minimizing risks for unwanted childbearing. Health professionals need to be able to critically evaluate this literature and use caution when generalizing findings across contexts differing in legal grounds for abortion. The impact of diversity in women’s characteristics, circumstances, and reasons for avoiding childbirth has not been adequately incorporated in theory or research seeking to explain the variations that are found in women’s post-abortion mental health. Critical reviews have established that predictors of problems after abortion or childbirth are similar. Further, when a woman has an unwanted pregnancy, i.e., a pregnancy that she does not wish to end in a term birth, the likelihood that she will have post-pregnancy mental health problems is similar regardless of pregnancy outcome (abortion vs. delivery). Selective sampling bias that advantages the delivery group, common risk factors, and confounding of abortion with unintended pregnancy explain the correlation of legal abortion with negative outcomes observed in the literature from developed countries. Meanwhile, documented negative effects of unwanted pregnancy and childbearing are multiple, severe, and long-lasting for mother and child. Changing societal conditions, particularly in developing countries, provide an opportunity for correcting biases and limitations of current research. High quality studies aimed at understanding the varied relationships of unintended pregnancy to mental health outcomes –both positive and negative– in the context of the diverse circumstances of women’s lives are sorely needed. Such studies can inform the development of programs to reduce unwanted childbearing and promote pre- and post-pregnancy mental health for all women, regardless of how they choose to end their pregnancy.
Gas Turbine Engines, Design and Dynamic Performance

A gas turbine engine is a system that consists of several turbomachinery components and auxiliary subsystems. Air enters the compressor component which is driven by a turbine component and is placed on the same shaft. Air exits the compressor at a higher pressure and enters the combustion chamber, where the chemical energy of the fuel is converted into thermal energy producing combustion gas at a temperature that corresponds to the turbine inlet design temperature. The combustion gas expands in the following turbine component, where its total energy is partially converted into shaft work and exit kinetic energy. For power generation gas turbines, the shaft work is the major portion of the above energy forms. It covers the total work required by the compressor component, the bearing frictions, several auxiliary subsystems, and the generator. In aircraft gas turbines, a major portion of the total energy goes toward generation of high exit kinetic energy that is essential for thrust generation.
Biodegradation of MC252 oil in oil:sand aggregates in a coastal headland beach environment

Biodegradation potential of MC252 in oil:sand aggregates, termed surface residue balls (SRBs), was examined using multiple lines of evidence on a heavily-impacted coastal headland beach in Louisiana, USA. SRBs were sampled over a 16-month period on the supratidal beach environment where reasonable control existed on the residence time of the aggregates on the beach surface. PAH and alkane concentration ratios were measured including PAH/C30-hopane, C2/C3 phenanthrenes, C2/C3 dibenzothiophenes and alkane/C30-hopane and demonstrated unequivocally that biodegradation was occurring in SRBs in the supratidal. These biodegradation reactions occurred over time frames relevant to the coastal processes moving SRBs off the beach. In contrast, submerged oil mat (SOM) samples did not demonstrate chemical changes consistent with biodegradation. Review and analysis of additional biogeochemical parameters suggested the existence of a moisture and N-limited biodegradation regime on the supratidal beach environment. At this location, SRBs possess moisture contents < 2% and molar C:N ratios from 131-323, well outside of optimal values for biodegradation in the literature. Despite these limitations, biodegradation of PAHs and alkanes proceeded at relevant rates (2-8 year-1) due in part to the presence of degrading populations, i.e., Mycobacterium sp., adapted to these conditions. For SOM samples in the intertidal, an oxygen and salinity-impacted regime is proposed that severely limits biodegradation of alkanes and PAHs in this environment. These results support the hypothesis that SRBs deposited at different locations on the beach have different biogeochemical characteristics (e.g., moisture; salinity; terminal electron acceptors; nutrient; and oil composition) due, in part, to their location on the landscape.
Optimal control of autonomous linear processes with singular matrices in the quadratic cost functional II

The optimal control of the autonomous linear process X = Ax + Bu with quadratic cost functional is studied. Initial and terminal times and positions are fixed. An assumption, weaker than invertibility, is placed on the matrices involved. A closed form for the optimal control is given. The extension of the method to other problems is discussed, including infinite systems and discrete problems.
Self-regulation and Rapid Weight Gain in Children From Age 3 to 12 Years

Objective To examine the extent to which self-regulatory capacities, measured behaviorally at ages 3 and 5 years, were linked to rapid weight gain in children from age 3 to 12 years. Self-regulation failure, or the inability to control an impulse or behavior, has been implicated as a mechanism in the development of overweight. Design Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting Home and laboratory-based settings in 10 sites across the United States. Participants Data were drawn from 1061 children as part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Main Exposure Self-regulatory capacity was measured in 2 behavioral protocols; children participated in a self-control procedure at age 3 years and a delay of gratification procedure at age 5 years. Main Outcome Measures Age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) z scores were calculated based on measured BMI at 6 points. Results Mixed-modeling analyses were used to examine differences in the rate of weight gain over time based on the extent to which children exhibited the ability to self-regulate in the behavioral procedures. Compared with children who showed high self-regulation in both behavioral protocols at ages 3 and 5 years, children who exhibited a compromised ability to self-regulate had the highest BMI z scores at each point and the most rapid gains in BMI z scores over the 9-year period. Effects of pubertal status were also noted for girls. Conclusion Self-regulation failure in early childhood may predispose children to excessive weight gain through early adolescence.
l-Homocysteine Sulfinic Acid and Other Acidic Homocysteine Derivatives Are Potent and Selective Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Agonists

Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with several diseases, including coronary artery disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and spina bifida. However, the mechanisms for their pathogenesis are unknown but could involve the interaction of homocysteine or its metabolites with molecular targets such as neurotransmitter receptors, channels, or transporters. We discovered that L-homocysteine sulfinic acid (L-HCSA), L-homocysteic acid, L-cysteine sulfinic acid, and L-cysteic acid are potent and effective agonists at several rat metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). These acidic homocysteine derivatives 1) stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the cells stably expressing the mGluR1, mGluR5, or mGluR8 (plus Galpha(qi9)) and 2) inhibited the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in the cells stably expressing mGluR2, mGluR4, or mGluR6, with different potencies and efficacies depending on receptor subtypes. Of the four compounds, L-HCSA is the most potent agonist at mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR4, mGluR5, mGluR6, and mGluR8. The effects of the four agonists were selective for mGluRs because activity was not discovered when L-HCSA and several other homocysteine derivatives were screened against a large panel of cloned neurotransmitter receptors, channels, and transporters. These findings imply that mGluRs are candidate G-protein-coupled receptors for mediating the intracellular signaling events induced by acidic homocysteine derivatives. The relevance of these findings for the role of mGluRs in the pathogenesis of homocysteine-mediated phenomena is discussed.
PTD analysis of impedance structures

Based on an approximate dyadic diffraction coefficient, equivalent currents (ECs) are derived for computing the scattering by a finite-length impedance wedge of arbitrary angle. The derived equivalent currents are implemented in a standard general purpose physical theory of diffraction (PTD) code and results are presented demonstrating the accuracy of the formulation for a number of impedance and (dielectrically) coated structures. These include typical shapes such as plates, finite-length cones, and cylinders which have been partially or fully coated. The PTD implementation requires a dyadic physical optics diffraction coefficient which is presented in the appendix.
A DSP perspective to the period-3 detection problem

Many signal processing techniques have been introduced in the past to identify the protein coding regions by detecting the so-called period-3 component in the DNA spectrum. However, a solid understanding of this observed phenomenon and its underlying mechanism from a DSP perspective has been missing from the literature. We therefore propose a novel DSP model that i) clearly explains the intricate operation of the DNA spectrum, ii) allows the derivation of new DNA spectrum expressions which, in turn, generalize and unify previous work and iii) suggests an efficient way to improve the detection of protein coding regions by computing a filtered spectrum.
Preparation of 2S-(—)-4-Amino-2-Hydroxybutanoic Acid via Yeast-Catalyzed Stereoselective Reduction

The unusual amino acid S2-(—)-4-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acid (S-AHBA) (1), a structural component of the antibiotic Amikacin, has been prepared via yeast-catalyzed stereoselective reduction of methyl-4-benzyloxycarbonyloxyamino-2-oxobutanoate (5). The most suitable yeast was found to be Saccharomyces carlsbergensis ATCC2345 and Saccharomyces sp. Edme, which gave 40% and 54% yield, respectively, of (S)-(+)-6 (88% ee).
Resolution of [11C]DL‐leucine and [11C]DL‐tryptophan by high‐performance liouid chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) resolution of [11C]DL-leucine and [11C]DL-tryptophan, using modifications of a previously developed technique for resolution of [11C]DL-valine, was used to produce [11C]L-leucine and [11C]L-tryptophan. The technique employs commercially available reverse phase HPLC columns and chiral mobile phases containing cupric acetate and L-proline.
Mono Lake Excursion in Mono Basin, California, and at Carson Sink and Pyramid Lake, Nevada

SUMMARY A restudy of the Mono Lake Excursion in the Mono Basin, California, using two new localities 20 km apart, shows that the palaeomagnetic record in the basin is the most complete and accurate for the entire excursion. The excursion is also recorded in exposed sediment from Pleistocene Lake Lahontan in northwestern Nevada, about 250 km north of the Mono Basin. Sampling of the Lake Lahontan sediment was done at Pyramid Lake and in the Carson Sink. Following the initial discovery of the Mono Lake Excursion by Denham & Cox (1971), Liddicoat & Coe (1979) showed that the excursion consists of two parts split by a volcanic ash bed. At Pyramid Lake and in the Carson Sink, the older half of the excursion is not recorded, but the younger half can be recognized. Two factors appear to have contributed to the partial recording of the excursion at Pyramid Lake and in the Carson Sink: (1) the relative strength of the palaeomagnetic field (low during the older half of the excursion, and high during the younger half), and (2) the slower sedimentation in Lake Lahontan, estimated to be about half the rate of deposition for the lacustrine sediment in the Mono Basin. Tephrochronology and carbon-14 dates indicate an age of 28 000 yr for the middle of the Mono Lake Excursion. On the assumption that the sedimentation rate was a constant 25cm kyr-1 in the Mono Basin, the span of the full excursion is about 2000 yr.