cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uterine fibroids and risk of preterm birth by clinical subtypes: a prospective cohort study.

Fibroids are present in approximately one in ten pregnancies and are inconsistently linked with preterm birth. We sought to determine the association between fibroids and preterm birth in a prospective cohort with standardized research ultrasounds for characterizing fibroids in early pregnancy while accounting for the clinical paths that precede preterm birth. Participants who were pregnant or planning a pregnancy were recruited from communities in three states between 2000 and 2012. Members of this prospective cohort had a research ultrasound in the first trimester to establish pregnancy dating and to record detailed information about the presence, size, number, and location of fibroids. Baseline information from time of enrollment and a detailed first trimester interview contributed key information about candidate confounders. Birth outcomes, including clinical classification of type of preterm birth (preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and medically indicated preterm birth) were cross-validated from participant report, labor and delivery records, and birth certificate data. Among 4,622 women with singleton pregnancies, 475 had at least one fibroid (10.3%) and 352 pregnancies resulted in preterm birth (7.6%). Prevalence of fibroids was similar for women with preterm and term births (10.2% vs. 10.3%). Fibroids were not associated with increased risk of preterm birth after taking into account confounding (risk ratio adjusted for race/ethnicity and maternal age, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–1.24) nor any clinical subtype of preterm birth. No fibroid characteristic or combination of characteristics was associated with risk. If fibroids increase risk of preterm birth, the effect is substantially smaller than previous estimates. Given lack of effect in a large population of women from the general population, rather than higher risk academic tertiary populations previously most studied, we encourage a reconsideration of the clinical impression that presence of fibroids is a major risk factor for preterm birth.
Permutation Group Algorithms

1. Introduction 2. Black-box groups 3. Permutation groups: a complexity overview 4. Bases and strong generating sets 5. Further low-level algorithms 6. A library of nearly linear time algorithms 7. Solvable permutation groups 8. Strong generating tests 9. Backtrack methods 10. Large-base groups.
Alcohol-Induced miR-27a Regulates Differentiation and M2 Macrophage Polarization of Normal Human Monocytes

Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of liver disease characterized by liver inflammation, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or liver cirrhosis. Immunomodulatory effects of alcohol on monocytes and macrophages contribute to alcoholic liver disease. Alcohol use, an independent risk factor for progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection-mediated liver disease, impairs host defense and alters cytokine production and monocyte/macrophage activation. We hypothesized that alcohol and HCV have synergistic effects on the phenotype and function of monocytes. Our data show that acute alcohol binge drinking in healthy volunteers results in increased frequency of CD16(+) and CD68(+) and M2-type (CD206(+), dendritic cell [DC]-SIGN(+)-expressing and IL-10-secreting) circulating CD14(+) monocytes. Expression of HCV-induced CD68 and M2 markers (CD206 and DC-SIGN) in normal monocytes was further enhanced in the presence of alcohol. The levels of microRNA (miR)-27a was significantly upregulated in monocytes cultured in the presence of alcohol or alcohol and HCV as compared with HCV alone. The functional role of miR-27a in macrophage polarization was demonstrated by transfecting monocytes with an miR-27a inhibitor that resulted in reduced alcohol- and HCV- mediated monocyte activation (CD14 and CD68 expression), polarization (CD206 and DC-SIGN expression), and IL-10 secretion. Overexpression of miR-27a in monocytes enhanced IL-10 secretion via activation of the ERK signaling pathway. We found that miR-27a promoted ERK phosphorylation by downregulating the expression of ERK inhibitor sprouty2 in monocytes. Thus, we identified that sprouty2 is a target of miR-27a in human monocytes. In summary, our study demonstrates the regulatory role of miR-27a in alcohol-induced monocyte activation and polarization.
The U.S. Patriot Act: Implications for the Social Work Profession

In November 2001 the United States Congress passed the U.S. Patriot Act with support from President Bush. The act provided unprecedented powers to various governmental agencies to address the growing threat of terrorism. Through its implementation, the government has focused its efforts on specific practices to fulfill the mandate of the U.S. Patriot Act to search for suspected terrorists and to protect the country. This paper describes these activities and discusses how they run counter to traditional democratic values. Additionally, the paper posits that a separate system of justice has been created that is secret, lacks accountability, and works against many of the values espoused by the social work profession. Specific actions are recommended for social workers to effectively respond to the consequences of the U.S. Patriot Act. Keywords: U.S. Patriot Act; terrorism; democratic values; social justice
Where are the Eco-Innovators? Analysis of the Knowledge Flows between Successive Generations of Green Technology Innovations

This paper examines the location of innovations within green technology, using U.S. patent citation data to trace their inter-generational knowledge flows over time. Clustering is clearly evident, and we use multivariate left-censored Tobit regression analysis to control for identifiable factors, to show that the distance between successive innovators has not been rising over time. The interesting exception is nuclear energy in which distance appears to be decreasing over time. If we consider only inter-city transfers, the waste management also becomes more concentrated over time, while transportation declusters.
Constructive Induction of Cartesian Product Attributes

Constructive induction is the process of changing the representation of examples by creating new attributes from existing attributes. In classification, the goal of constructive induction is to find a representation that facilitates learning a concept description by a particular learning system. Typically, the new attributes are Boolean or arithmetic combinations of existing attributes and the learning algorithms used are decision trees or rule learners. We describe the construction of new attributes that are the Cartesian product of existing attributes. We consider the effects of this operator on three learning algorithms and compare two different methods for determining when to construct new attributes with this operator
Genetic variation in the psychomotor stimulant properties of cocaine in Mus musculus

Rationale The psychomotor stimulant properties of drugs are argued to be a key feature of abuse liability. Several studies, primarily using inbred strains of mice, have demonstrated genetic variation in the psychomotor stimulant properties of cocaine. As of yet, however, no gene(s) has been identified which influences this phenotype.
Antiproton and electron optics for electron cooling

Optical issues for electron cooling in the Recycler are discussed. An optimal value of the antiproton beta-function depends on the cooling purposes (longitudinal or transverse), on the antiproton emittances and the energy spread. A proposal is suggested for the optimal optics at the so-called SS30HB interval in the Recycler, where electron cooling is supposed to be applied. Both electron cooling and the phase trombone requirements are taken into account. The electron optic scheme is also presented.
Hematoporphyrin-derivative-fluorescence test colposcopy and colpophotography in the diagnosis of atypical metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix uteri

Abstract The hematoporphyrin-derivative (Hp-D)-fluorescence test, based on the accumulation of Hp-D in cervical lesions in combination with colposcopy and colpophotography, has been evaluated for the detection and management of cervical atypism in 20 patients. All of them had guided punch biopsies of the cervix. Fourteen patients had wide cold-knife cone biopsies of the cervix. There were 3 cases of carcinoma in situ and 9 cases of moderate to severe dysplasia of the carvix with positive fluorescence. Positive fluorescence was seen in 2 additional cases of atypical squamous metaplasia. There were no false negative fluorescence tests in this group of patients. There was good correlation of the atypical colposcopic findings to the areas of subsequent fluorescence. The value of combining the Hp-D fiuorascence procedure and colposcopic-colpophotographic examination may be valudble for outlining the extent of minimal lesions of the cervix and vagina.
Physical activity constraints among Latinos: identifying clusters and acculturation differences.

Understanding leisure-time physical activity among Latinos is a national public health concern. This study examined constraints to leisure-time physical activity among Latinos in North Carolina in relation to their level of acculturation. Data (N = 457) were obtained through a community survey. Four subgroups with similar constraints were identified using cluster analysis: Access and Partner Constrained, Safety and Access Constrained, Least Constrained, and Highly Constrained. Results showed that low acculturation was significantly associated with being highly constrained. Latinos born outside the U.S. were more likely to be classified as Access and Partner Constrained and Safety and Access Constrained. The findings contribute to understanding constraints in the context of acculturation and offer practitioners perspective on creating physical activity programs for Latinos.
Cannabis: Pharmacology and Interpretation of Effects

A selective introductory review of the Cannabis literature is presented. Subjects reviewed include the relative psychoactivities of Cannabis constituents, the disposition and distribution of THC and its metabolites, the relative psychoactivities of THC metabolites, and the use of cannabinoid concentrations in physiological fluids in interpretations of the significance of Cannabis-induced effects. The pharmacology of cannabinoids in humans is emphasized.
Life prediction for CIGS solar modules part 2: degradation kinetics, accelerated testing, and encapsulant effects

Copper indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) solar cells from Global Solar Energy, Inc. and development cells from another manufacturer are laminated in non-barrier packaging and exposed to a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, and measured degradation rates fit to a kinetic expression. The kinetic constants are then used in a life model that is based on time-dependent mass and energy balances governing module temperature and the diffusion of water through a module package subjected to weather conditions. Cells with an aluminum-doped zinc oxide window layer degrade approximately 25× faster than cells having an indium tin oxide window layer, and so require much lower permeability barrier films in a flexible package. The electrically conducting adhesive used to connect bottom and top contact to solder-coated ribbons can be a major factor in degradation. This difference may only be apparent at lower temperatures, which drastically affects real-world lifetime. Preliminary Florida and Arizona data confirm this. The key assumption in the model is that the instantaneous rate of degradation is proportional to the relative saturation of the encapsulant with water (0–100%), and not the absolute concentration of water in the encapsulant (10−3–10−2 g/cm3). This leads to the model prediction that it is only the diffusion time constant tc = LESE/WVTR that determines the degradation and life of a packaged cell and that thicker encapsulants with higher water solubility will significantly extend cell life. Experimental data for three different encapsulant materials with and without a moisture barrier film confirm these predictions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactive, Domain-Independent Identification and Summarization of Topically Related News Articles

In this paper we present NewsInEssence, a fully deployed digital news system. A user selects a current news story of interest which is useda s a seed article by NewsInEssence to find in real time other related stories from a large number of news sources. The output is a single document summary presenting the most salient information gleaned from the different sources. We discuss the algorithm used by NewsInEssence, module interoperability, and conclude the paper with a number of empirical analyses.
Directed assembly of conducting polymers on sub-micron templates by electrical fields

Abstract Patterning of conducting polymer into sub-micron patterns over large areas at high rate and low cost is significant for commercial manufacturing of novel devices. Electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic assembly provide an easily scaled approach with high fabrication rates. In this work, electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic assembly were used to assemble polyaniline (PANi) into multiscale sub-micron size patterns in less than 1 min. The process was controlled by assembly time, amplitude, and frequency of the electric field. Dielectrophoretic assembly is preferable for manufacturing as it reduces damage to the templates used to control the assembly. Using this method, sub-micron patterns with dimensions of the assembled PANi down to 100 nm were fabricated over large areas in short times. The assembled PANi was further transferred to other flexible polymer substrates by a thermoforming process, providing a fast, easily controlled and promising approach for fabrication of nanoscale devices.
Some parallels in the education of medieval Jewish and Christian women

My justification for employing this strategy is straightforward: the education and preparation for adulthood of both Jewish and Christian women, especially Christians belonging to the urban bourgeoisie, were often remarkably similar. Parallels are to be found, particularly with respect to literacy, religious training, and domestic and business knowledge. Yet there was at least one significant difference, related directly to the distinct Jewish and Christian cultures. Christian women occasionally achieved a thorough education, including a Latin one, but they usually did so in the convent. The few Jewish women who attained educational sophistication did so at home.
The motion of untwisted untorted scroll waves in belousov-zhabotinsky reagent.

Rotating waves of activity are seen in various biological phenomena and in chemical mixtures. In thin layers of these media, the waves often appear as spirals spinning around a pivot point, but actually they are scroll-shaped waves rotating around curved filament in three-space. The filament about which the scroll rotates is not stationary, but rather moves through space until it achieves a stable configuration or disappears altogether. Some features of the temporal evolution of a planar scroll wave filament can be understood in terms of the simple equation N = D κ, where N is the velocity of the filament in the direction of its principal normal, κ is the curvature of the filament, and D is the diffusion coefficient of the active chemical species. This equation of motion implies that a scroll ring shrinks in size and collapses in finite time, that an elongated spiral evolves into a symmetric spiral, and that an elongated target pattern becomes more symmetrical and vanishes in finite time. Characteristic times for these processes are estimated. In each case, good quantitative agreement is found between implications of the model and observations of scroll-wave evolution in shallow layers of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reagent.
Negotiating Development Prescriptions: The Case of Population Policy in Nigeria

Countries of the global south must constantly respond to development prescriptions from donor organizations. In this paper, I develop a spectrum of response to these prescriptions that applies to key actors at the country level—national leaders, technocratic elites, and social groups—and ranges from acceptance to negotiation to rejection. The interplay of these responses in conjunction with the social, economic, and political context drives the overall response to, and impact of, development prescriptions. To illustrate this process I use the case of population policy in Nigeria, where a technocratic elite led by a charismatic minister of health accepted the policy largely on its own merits; national leaders negotiated the policy so it facilitated state-society relations, promoted nationalism, deflected blame for economic woes, and represented commitment to political restructuring; and the representatives of social groups rejected the policy. Donor pressure served as a backdrop to the whole process. Parsing country responses to development prescriptions in this manner explains why Nigeria, a country with pronatalist citizens and in which population was highly politicized, adopted a policy aiming to limit fertility. It also demonstrates that different actors within countries of the global south use development prescriptions as opportunities to achieve locally important goals. To make these arguments, I draw on rich primary data from key informants and Nigerian government documents. Ultimately, the rejection of the policy by women’s organizations and religious groups, combined with financial duress, political chaos, and continued high desired fertility, prevented the policy from strongly influencing contraceptive provision or fertility.
Databases vs. the Web: a discussion of teaching the use of electronic resources in the library instruction setting

ABSTRACT Considering the impact of the World Wide Web upon research behavior, the need for encouraging effective information seeking has never been more urgent, especially to first-year students and students returning to higher education after a period of absence. To address this issue, points that the instruction librarian may communicate to students in an introductory library instruction session include: the concept of the Web as a loosely structured environment (the landscape of the environment); the distinction between the Web and databases delivered via this system (filtered vs. unfiltered information); and the process of “tool analysis” (relationship between a database search and results). The goal of this endeavor within library instruction is to encourage critical thinking and effective information seeking within the electronic information environment.
A Comparison of Methods for Treating Incomplete Data in Selection Research

Data were simulated to conform to covariance patterns taken from the personnel selection literature. Two, six, and ten percent of the values were deleted from one of three predictor variables in sample sizes of 50, 100 and 200. Incomplete data matrices were treated by four methods: (a) elimination of cases with incomplete data records; (b) substitution of missing values with the variable mean; (c) replacement of missing values with an estimate obtained from simple regression; and (d) replacement of missing values with an estimate derived from iterated multiple regression. The treated data matrices were subjected to multiple regression analyses, and the resulting regression equations were compared to the equations obtained from the original, complete data. The two regression based estimation procedures provided the most accurate regression equations, followed by the method of inserting means. Discarding cases with incomplete records was the least accurate method. Although the results supported the practice...
A Multi-Image Optical System

An optical system, consisting of cylindrical, spherical, and conical optics, capable of producing multiple images of a point source is described. The relative energy content of each image is calculated and compared to measured values. It was tested in a system for simultaneously monitoring CO2, CH4, and CO in a gas mixture by infrared radiation absorption. Other possible applications in radiometry and laser communications are suggested.
Goal network programs: A specialized algorithm and an application

This paper presents a specialized network procedure for the solution of pure goal network programs with preemptive priorities. The specialization solves such goal network programs efficiently since it requires a modification only in the pricing rule of the network simplex algorithm. The algorithm is used to solve multiple goal network programs that arise in the assignment of naval personnel to jobs. Computational experience indicates that the specialization dominates the sequential linear goal programming procedure.
Community policing and socialcapital

This paper argues for the utilization of the social capital concept in studying, evaluating, or implementing community oriented policing (COP) strategies. Social capital is helpful in measuring COP implementation effectiveness because it is central to COP issues such as trust and genuine dialogue between different groups, the ability to collectively tap into various resources, and the ability of individuals to work together to solve various problems. Findings from a study conducted in Iowa utilizing focus group and interview methodology demonstrate that COP cannot be successful without the existence of social capital building among and between the citizenry, the police, and other public and private organizations.
Comparison of model building and selection strategies

One challenge an analyst often encounters when dealing with complex mark–recapture models is how to limit the number of a priori models. While all possible combinations of model structures on the different parameters (e.g., ϕ, p) can be considered, such a strategy often results in a burdensome number of models, leading to the use of ad hoc strategies to reduce the number of models constructed. For the Cormack–Jolly–Seber data type, one example of an ad hoc strategy is to hold a general ϕ model structure constant while investigating model structures on p, and then to hold the resulting best structure on p constant and investigate structures on ϕ. Many comparable strategies exist. The effect of following ad hoc strategies on parameter estimates as well as for variable selection and whether model averaging can ameliorate any problems are unknown. By means of a simulation study, we have investigated this informational gap by comparing the all-combinations model building strategy with two ad hoc strategies and with truth, as well as considering the results of model averaging. We found that model selection strategy had little effect on parameter estimator bias and precision and that model averaging did improve bias and precision slightly. In terms of variable selection (i.e., cumulative Akaike’s information criterion weights), model sets based on ad hoc strategies did not perform as well as those based on all combinations, as less important variables often had higher weights with the former than with the all possible combinations strategy. Increased sample size resulted in increased variable weights, with an infinite sample size resulting in all variable weights equaling 1 for variables with any predictive influence. Thus, the distinction between statistical importance (dependent on sample size) and biological importance must be recognized when utilizing cumulative weights. We recommend that all-combinations model strategy and model averaging be used. However, if an ad hoc strategy is relied upon to reduce the computational demand, parameter estimates will generally be comparable to the all-combinations strategy, but variable weights will not correspond to the all-combinations strategy.
Organizational Responsiveness to Anti-offshoring Institutional Pressures

Abstract We explore the extent of organizational responsiveness to pressures from institutional constituents against offshoring of information technology and business process services. Drawing on a theoretical framework that integrates institutional and strategic explanations, we proposed that organizational responsiveness to anti-offshoring institutional pressures is a function of both the characteristics of such pressures as well as organizations’ prior success with offshoring. Results based on survey data from 84 offshoring client organizations indicate the following: Both greater organizational expectations of enhanced social legitimacy and mimetic influences from other organizations led to greater organizational responsiveness. Both conflict of institutional expectations with organizational goals and greater regulatory environment uncertainty reduced responsiveness. Organizational dependence on a key pressuring constituent had no effect. Surprisingly, organizational success with offshoring had no direct effect on responsiveness and we examine why this might be so. However, it attenuated the otherwise strong positive effect of social legitimacy and exacerbated the negative effect of regulatory environment uncertainty.
Fruits: A Developmental Perspective.

Embryonic development in many angiosperms occurs concomitantly with the development of the ovary into a specialized organ, the fruit, which provides a suitable environment for seed maturation and often a mechanism for the dispersa1 of mature seeds, as Darwin observed. Despite centuries of intensive genetic selection of agriculturally valuable fruit, we still lack most information about how fruits develop, how this development is coordinated with embryonic development and seed formation, and the molecular, cellular, and physiological events that control fruit growth and differentiation. The last 10 years have seen a rapid surge of information on one commercially important aspect of fruit development, fruit ripening, including the genetic control of temporal events during the ripening phase (Theologis, 1992; Theologis et al., 1992). However, fewer advances have been made on temporal and spatial controls of fruit set and growth, although from the agricultura1 point of view, these aspects are of equally critical importance. We will provide a perspective on the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms that must be considered as integral parts of the fruit developmental process. The discussion below will illustrate that fruit development is a potentially useful system to learn more about complex regulatory mechanisms that control the division, growth, and differentiation of plant cells.
A comprehensive multimodal eye recognition

Iris recognition is tested to be one of the most reliable approaches for automatic personal recognition under the infrared light. However, it is challenging and difficult to acquire good quality iris patterns of dark color eyes in the visible wavelengths. Sclera recognition can achieve good recognition accuracy in the visible spectrum, but the performance will drop when the sclera pattern is saturated. In this paper, we proposed a comprehensive multimodal eye recognition system that uses both iris and sclera patterns for recognition from the same eye image. The experimental results show that the proposed multimodal frontal eye recognition method can achieve better recognition accuracy than unimodal iris or sclera recognition. In addition, we propose a multimodal multi-angle eye recognition system that can further improve the recognition accuracy.
Ecosystem changes in the North Pacific subtropical gyre attributed to the 1991–92 El Niño

SUBTROPICAL ocean gyres are considered to be the marine analogues of terrestrial deserts because of chronic nutrient depletion and low standing stocks of organisms1. Despite their presumed low rates of primary and export production, oligotrophic habitats contribute significantly to global productivity because of their large extent2. Therefore, even small changes in ecosystem production can produce large effects in the global carbon cycle. The North Pacific subtropical gyre has generally been thought to support a homogeneous, stable biological community3,4, but recent investigations have suggested instead that the ecosystem of this gyre is temporally and spatially variable5–7. The causes of this variability are not well understood. Here we present evidence of a major change in the structure and productivity of the pelagic ecosystem in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean, an effect that we attribute to the 1991–92 El Nine–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. Decreased upper-ocean mixing and a change in circulation resulted in an increased abundance and activity of nitrogen-fixing micro-organisms and a shift from a primarily nitrogen-limited to a primarily phosphorus-limited habitat with attendant changes in total and export production and in nutrient cycling pathways and rates.
Circadian dependence of host and tumor responses to cyclophosphamide in mice.

Abstract In a series of five experiments, 505 female BDF 1 mice were standardized for periodicity studies by exposure to alternating periods of 12 hr of light and 12 hr of darkness. The mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1 million L1210 murine leukemia cells and beginning approximately 24 hr later, were injected by the same route with a single dose of cyclophosphamide at 1500, 1800, 2100, 0600 or 0900 hr . At each time point, different groups of mice were treated with 300 or 360 mg of cyclophosphamide per kg of body weight. Cured mice ( 60-day survivors) as well as mice dying from drug-induced toxicity or tumor were noted for each interval of treatment. The magnitude of the effects produced by cyclophosphamide varied widely from experiment to experiment, suggesting that factors presently unidentified also influenced host responses to the drug. Nevertheless, the composite data indicated that both the therapeutic and the toxic effects of cyclophosphamide were quantitatively related to the circadian phase of drug administration. The frequency of cures was highest ( 34% ) when the drug was administered at 1800 hr and lowest ( 7% ) when given at 0900 hr . In addition, drug-induced toxicity exhibited a reverse pattern of cyclic activity in which the minimum value ( 20% ) resulted from administration at 1800 hr while the maximum number of deaths ( 52% ) occurred after treatment at 0900 hr . Due, in part, to this reciprocal relationship between cure rate and drug-induced death rate, the selective timing of cyclophosphamide administration resulted in greatly divergent modification of the risk versus benefit ratio. As the result of treatment at 0900 hr , approximately 7 mice were killed for each mouse that was cured while, after treatment at 1800 hr, 1.7 mice were cured on the average for each mouse that was killed. Thus by taking advantage of temporal fluctuations in host resistance to cyclophosphamide, enhanced therapeutic responses without equivalent increases in toxicity may be produced.
An examination of food addiction in a racially diverse sample of obese patients with binge eating disorder in primary care settings

Abstract Objective The concept of food addiction in obesity and binge eating disorder (BED) continues to be a hotly debated topic yet the empirical evidence on the relationship between addictive-like eating and clinically relevant eating disorders is limited. The current study examined the association of food addiction as assessed by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) with measures of disordered eating, dieting/weight history, and related psychopathology in a racially diverse sample of obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Method A consecutive series of 96 obese patients with BED who were seeking treatment for obesity and binge eating in primary care were given structured interviews to assess psychiatric disorders and eating disorder psychopathology and a battery of self-report measures including the YFAS to assess food addiction. Results Classification of food addiction was met by 41.5% (n = 39) of BED patients. Patients classified as meeting YFAS food addiction criteria had significantly higher levels of negative affect, emotion dysregulation, and eating disorder psychopathology, and lower self-esteem. Higher scores on the YFAS were related to an earlier age of first being overweight and dieting onset. YFAS scores were also significant predictors of binge eating frequency above and beyond other measures. Discussion Compared to patients not classified as having food addiction, the subset of 41.5% of BED patients who met the YFAS food addiction cut-off appears to have a more severe presentation of BED and more associated pathology.
Detection ofS-Nitrosothiols and Other Nitric Oxide Derivatives by Photolysis–Chemiluminescence Spectrometry

We have developed a method for the detection of biologically relevant derivatives of NO•that couples photolysis to chemiluminescence.S-Nitrosothiols,N-nitroso-l-tryptophan, and iron–nitrosyl derivatives can all be detected by this methodology, and these derivatives can be distinguished from free NO•by making measurements with and without photolysis. The limits of detection of this system are in the 10 nmrange, with an intraassay variability of less than 2% and an interassay variability of less than 1.5%. The use of cutoff filters and alterations in pH and flow rate through the photolysis cell provide additional useful parameters with which to characterize specific NO•derivatives based on their intrinsic stability. This methodology is a useful addition to the growing armamentarium of techniques used to characterize the biochemistry and metabolism of NO•.
CMS Silicon Strip Tracker Integration and Slice Test

The CMS Tracker is an all-silicon tracker of unprecedentedly large scale, containing over 10 million channels and 207 square meters of silicon. Tracker components and subsystems have been constructed at sites throughout the world and were fully integrated at CERN in the spring of 2007. A slice of the tracker containing approximately 10% of readout channels has been operated to test system performance, and was commissioned using cosmic triggers. I describe the tracker integration and the slice test with emphasis on the quality controls that were implemented and the subsequent performance of the detector including noise performance, and tracking performance from cosmic rays.
Quantum imaging of nonlocal spatial correlations induced by orbital angular momentum

Through scanned coincidence counting, we probe the quantum image produced by parametric down-conversion with a pump-beam carrying orbital angular momentum. Nonlocal spatial correlations are manifested through splitting of the coincidence spot into two.
Best approximation as a solution of a game

Abstract A general minimax theorem for infinite games due to H. F. Bohnenblust, S. Karlin, and L. S. Shapley is related to the theory of best approximation and enables us to prove readily a general result including as special cases theorems in the literature proved with greater effort.
Pituitary gland responsiveness to LHRH and LHRH neuronal responsiveness to excitatory stimuli are severely impaired in female rats treated neonatally with high doses of androgen

Abstract Treatment of neonatal female rats with androgen renders these animals permanently sterile as adults. Previously, we reported that these androgen-sterilized rats (ASR) do not respond to the positive feedback effects of estrogen by having LH surges. We also reported that this defect might be due to the failure of these animals to show increased hypothalamic norepinephrine turnovers (an index of secretion) in response to steroid treatment. Although LHRH-catecholamine synapses are established before or at birth, whether such synapses are functions remains to be resolved. Accordingly, the present studies, female rats were ggiven 1.25 mg of testosterone propionate at 5 days of age and, at 100 days of age, these ASR and controls were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol. In these animals, we examined whether activation of medullary A1 noradrenergic neurons would amplify LH release following preliminary depolarization of LHRH neurons with an electrochemical stimulus (ECS). As well, we reexamined whether LHRH neuronal responsiveness to exogenous NE and pituitary responsiveness to LHRH differ in controls versus ASR. In controls, two pulses of LHRH given 60 min apart elicited increases in plasma LH with the second pulse inducing greater LH release than the first pulse. In ASR, significantly less LH was released after either LHRH pulse and particularly after the second pulse. When the spacing between the two LHRH pulses was reduced to 25 min, equivalent levels of LH release occured in controls and ASR after the second pulse. The i.c.v. infusion of NE induced a rapid rise in plasma LH in both controls and ASR although the peak LH responses (at 10 min) were significantly less in the ASR group. When the medial preoptic area (MPOA) was ECS, plasma LH increased in both groups of rats but significantly less LHRH was released in ASR. Combined MPOA-ECS+i.c.v. NE in controls and ASR resulted in amplification of LH release above that obtained after only MPOA-ECS. However, the amount of LH released in ASR was significantly less than controls. In the final study, bilateral MPOA-ECS was performed and 20 min later the right A1 cell group was electrically stimulated (ES) for 15 min. In control rats, combined MPOA-ECS+A1-ES resulted in greater LH release than occured after MPOA-ECS alone. Although similar combined preoptic+A1 stimulation also amplified LH release in ASR, the plasma LH concentrations were significantly less than controls. From these studies we conclude that: (1) pituitary responsiveness to LHRH is less in ASR than controls; (2) LHRH neuronal responsiveness to various excitatory stimuli also is less in ASR compared to controls; (3) the responses of LHRH neurons to Ai-ES in controls and ASR indicate that endogenous NE signals evoke LHRH release.
Photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in a high altitude lake (Emerald Lake, Sierra Nevada, California)

Photosynthetic activity by phytoplankton was measured during the ice-free seasons of 1984, 1985 and 1987 using the 14C radioassay in high altitude Emerald Lake (California). Relative quantum yield (αB) and light-saturated chlorophyll-specific carbon uptake (PmB) were calculated from the relationship of light and photosynthesis fitted to a hyperbolic tangent function. Temporal changes in PmB showed no regular pattern. Seasonal patterns of αB generally had peaks in the summer and autumn. Phytoplankton biomass (as measured by chlorophyll a) and light-saturated carbon uptake (Pm) had peaks in the summer and autumn which were associated with vertical mixing. Estimates of mean daily carbon production were similar among the three years: 57 mg C m−2 2 d−1 in 1984, 70 mg C m−2 2 d−1 in 1985 and 60 mg C m−2 d−1 in 1987. Primary productivity in Emerald Lake is low compared to other montane lakes of California and similar to high-altitude or high-latitude lakes in other regions.
Combustion synthesis of TiAl-matrix composites in the Ti-Al-BN system

The intermetallic compound TiAl has attracted much attention for its potential use as a structural high-temperature material. However, its use has been limited because of its negligible low-temperature ductility and fracture toughness and low high-temperature strength and creep. To improve these properties, recently this compound has been made as a composite material containing a secondary phase such as boride, carbide, nitride, or oxide. Recently, combustion synthesis or self-propagating, high-temperature synthesis (SHS) using powder compacts has been developed to produce intermetallics or ceramics. It is also possible to form intermetallic-intermetallic, intermetallic-ceramic, or ceramic-ceramic composites from combustion reactions between corresponding elemental constituents. It has the advantage of an in-situ forming technique compared with conventional artificial composite production approaches. In the previous studies using elemental powders, combustion reaction was carried out to form intermetallic-ceramic composites in the Ti-Al-C, or Ti-Al-N system. The compacts of Ti and Al powders with carbon powder or in gaseous nitrogen reacted exothermically, and formed a mixture product which had a fine distribution of the Ti[sub 2]AlC or Ti[sub 2]AlN particles in the matrix TiAl with a small amount of Ti[sub 3]Al. The processing technique, therefore, is of interest as a combustion reaction synthesis to make in-situ intermetallic-based compositemore » materials. In the present work, to investigate the effect of BN addition on the reaction of Ti And Al powder mixtures, combustion synthesis of TiAl-matrix composites has been performed for the Ti-Al-BN system.« less
Stress and microstructure evolution in thick sputtered films

Materials synthesized by deposition techniques are often plagued by high levels of residual stress. While the origin and control of this stress in thin (sub-micron) films has been an active area of research, it is not clear how the results extrapolate with thickness. In the present work, in situ residual stress measurements are performed during the sputter deposition of beryllium, spanning the transition from thin to thick. Variables including sputtering gas pressure and substrate biasing are shown to strongly affect both the average and instantaneous stress levels measured during film growth. Detailed microstructural characterization is performed to assess the grain structure, surface morphology, and crystallographic growth texture of representative specimens. The microstructure is correlated with theoretical models of stress generation to interpret experimental measurements. A stress map is also constructed, generalizing the effects of processing and material parameters on stress state.
Effects of administrative ignition interlock license restrictions on drivers with multiple alcohol offenses

This study investigated, under real-world conditions, whether a statewide 2-year administrative ignition interlock license restriction program in Maryland was effective in reducing subsequent alcohol-related traffic violations among multiple offenders and whether any reductions in recidivism could be maintained after the program ended and interlock license restrictions were removed. A total of 1,927 drivers eligible for relicensure were randomly assigned to either the 2-year interlock license restriction program or the normal and customary sanctions afforded multiple offenders in Maryland. Recidivism was defined as incurring a subsequent alcohol-impaired driving violation during the 2-year intervention or 2-year postintervention periods. Compared to the control group, participation in the interlock license restriction program reduced drivers’ hazard (or risk) of a subsequent alcohol-impaired driving offense by a statistically significant 36% during the 2-year intervention, 26% during the 2-year postintervention period, and 32% during the entire 4-year study period. This investigation of interlock program effectiveness is the first to report significantly lower recidivism among the interlock group than its control group after the ignition interlock license restriction program ended. Possible reasons for this novel finding and areas for future research are discussed.
The polymer-supported Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling of acetylenes to produce unsymmetrical diynes

Abstract Cu(II)-catalyzed coupling of polymer-bound ω-haloalkyn-l-ols to terminal alkynes proceeds in moderate yield to give unsymmetrical diynes upon hydrolytic removal from the polymer. Formation of the symmetrical homocoupled byproduct is suppressed relative to conventional Cadiot-Chodkiewicz conditions in homogeneous solution.
Observations on Autosensitization in Contact Dermatitis1

Since the fundamental work of Landsteiner and his co-workers, notably Chase, it has been generally accepted that the antigen in contact dermatitis to simple chemicals actually is a complex or conjugated antigen which consists of a compound of the simple chemical, called the hapten, and some protein or protein-like substance, usually referred to as the “carrier” or “schlepper. It is generally assumed that it is the hapten which confers specificity to the compound, and that the protein, or to be more exact, the high molecular fraction with which it combines, is just a nonspecific carrier molecule which only confers antigenicity upon the complex antigen.
MO‐FF‐A2‐05: Dosimetry of Low Energy Electronic Brachytherapy X‐Ray Source

Purpose: To determine dose delivered by electronic brachytherapy source of ∼50kVp. Current protocol developed by AAPM task group 61 requires in air measurements to “would be the surface.” This approach is not possible for the geometry used for brachytherapy treatment. The brachytherapy protocol by AAPM task group 43 requires knowledge of the dose rate constant not available for our source. Method and Materials: The X‐ray beam was generated by Intrabeam (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) using 4 cm in diameter applicator. To minimize the effects of perturbation of photon fluence by the ion chamber and decrease the uncertainty in the position of point of measurement, small volume, 6.25 mm, thimble ion chamber was used (A1SL, Standard Imaging, Middletown, WI). The effect of fluence perturbation and stem were assumed to be negligible. Al Half value layer (HVL) of the beam was determined. Dose to air calibration factor N k was measured in calibration laboratory (KS the latter has two components: from calibration laboratory and from beam quality determination. For larger distances measureddose is 7–15% higher, than vendor's data. This is likely caused by the increase in N k due to beam hardening.Conclusion: While measurement of dose was possible and our results agree with the data provided by vendor, further refinement of the method and use of alternative approach are necessary.
Dimethylamino Parthenolide Enhances the Inhibitory Effects of Gemcitabine in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Introduction Gemcitabine is standard treatment for pancreatic cancer but has limited clinical benefit due to chemoresistance. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) can promote chemoresistance and is therefore an attractive therapeutic target. We hypothesize that NF-κB suppression with the novel, orally bioavailable inhibitor dimethylamino parthenolide (DMAPT) will sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine.
Probing QED using microwave and X-ray spectroscopy in hydrogenic ions

Abstract We discuss the status of measurements of the 2s Lamb shift in singly-ionized helium (He+) and of the 1s Lamb shift in one-electron calcium or titanium ions. The He+ Lamb shift experiment, which is being done at Princeton University, utilizes the microwave-resonance method in a beam of metastable He+. The high-Z experiment involves measurement of the 1s-2p transition energies using precision X-ray spectroscopy. This experiment will be carried out at the Argonne tandem-Linac (ATLAS).
Effects of deposition temperature on magnetoresistance anisotropy of Ni-Co alloys

The magnetoresistance anisotropy of E-beam evaporated thin film samples of two Ni-Co alloys (50Ni- 50Co and 69Ni-31Co weight percentage) was studied as a function of substrate deposition temperature from 40°C to more than 200°C. The values of the magnetoresistance anisotropy are approximately 20% below bulk values at 40°C but increase monotonically to the accepted bulk values at 160°C. Subsequent vacuum annealing of the 40°C samples increased the magnetoresistance anisotropy nearly to bulk values. The thermal activation energy for changes in the magnetoresistance anisotropy (Δρ) and resistivity (ρ) was determined to be 1.40 ± 0.1 eV at 50Ni-50Co and 1.25 ± 0.1 eV at 69Ni-31Co. since the mechanism for changes of resistivity with annealing are well understood in terms of the crystallite size, the fact that the activation energies are the same for Δρ and ρ suggests a common mechanism, which further implies that an interaction of longer range than the spin-orbit interaction is at least partially responsible for the anisotropic magnetoresistance.
A SURVEY OF AUXOTROPHY IN FIVE FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATES (PYRRHOPHYTA)1

Peridiniopsis polonicum (Wolosz.) Bourrelly requires vitamin B12, and Peridinium limbatum (Stokes) Lemm. requires thiamin for growth. Unlike marine Peridinium species, Peridinium willei Huit.-Kaas, P. volzii Lemm., and P. inconspicuum Lemm. do not display auxotrophy. Peridinium volzii is strongly inhibited by concentrations of biotin above 1 μg L−1.