cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SECONDARY METABOLITES AS CHEMICAL SIGNALS BETWEEN SPECIES IN AN ECOLOGICAL NICHE

ABSTRACT The presentation identifies and assimilates some of the basic factors associated with microbial production of secondary metabolites. Information on aflatoxin production is considered as a model for understanding secondary metabolism with specific observations from reports of toxin contamination of agricultural commodities. Pertinent information is summarized in terms of a broad hypothesis. The proposal contends that the disequilibrium of agroecosytems provides the basis for aggressive competition between interacting species. It is suggested that aflatoxin-producing fungi coevolved with insect species and that environmental conditions determined the quality of the relationship, ranging from symbiotic to pathogenic. Appropriate conditions elicit microbial pathogenicity through induction of the genetic information for the toxic secondary metabolites. The occurrence of the toxin in crops reflects an interaction of developing grains with the pertinent insect-fungal complex. KEYWORDS Aflatoxin; evolution; ecology; environmental mutagens.
Creating a Performance Indicator for Temporary Housing

Most research works have focused predominantly on categorizing temporary houses and have neglected to create an assessment tool for selecting the most optimal temporary housing option based on thei...
160Gb/s optical link using Quantum-Dot comb laser source and SiGe APD

We demonstrate the feasibility of a high-speed optical link using state of the art integrated optical sources and detectors that achieves a high laser power efficiency of 3pJ/bit.
Refining the general comparison theorem for the Klein–Gordon equation

By recasting the Klein–Gordon equation as an eigen-equation in the coupling parameter v > 0, the basic Klein–Gordon comparison theorem may be written f1 ≤ f2⇒G1(E) ≤ G2(E), where f1 and f2 are the ...
The anterior Hox gene ceh-13 and elt-1/GATA activate the posterior Hox genes nob-1 and php-3 to specify posterior lineages in the C. elegans embryo

Hox transcription factors play a conserved role in specifying positional identity during animal development, with posterior Hox genes typically repressing the expression of more anterior Hox genes. Here, we dissect the regulation of the posterior Hox genes nob-1 and php-3 in the nematode C. elegans. We show that nob-1 and php-3 are co-expressed in gastrulation-stage embryos in cells that previously expressed the anterior Hox gene ceh-13. This expression is controlled by several partially redundant transcriptional enhancers. These enhancers require ceh-13 for expression, providing a striking example of an anterior Hox gene positively regulating a posterior Hox gene. Several other regulators also act positively through nob-1/php-3 enhancers, including elt-1/GATA, ceh-20/ceh-40/Pbx, unc-62/Meis, pop-1/TCF, ceh-36/Otx and unc-30/Pitx . We identified defects in both cell position and cell division patterns in ceh-13 and nob-1;php-3 mutants, suggesting that these factors regulate lineage identity in addition to positional identity. Taken together, our results highlight the complexity and flexibility of Hox gene regulation and function and the ability of developmental transcription factors to regulate different targets in different stages of development.
High-fat diet induces neuroinflammation and reduces the serotonergic response to escitalopram in the hippocampus of obese rats.

Abstract Clinical studies indicate that obese individuals have an increased risk of developing co-morbid depressive illness and that these patients have reduced responses to antidepressant therapy, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Obesity, a condition of chronic mild inflammation including obesity-induced neuroinflammation, is proposed to contribute to decreases in synaptic concentrations of neurotransmitters like serotonin (5HT) by decreasing 5HT synthesis in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and/or affecting 5HT reuptake in DRN target regions like the hippocampus. In view of these observations, the goal of the current study was to examine inflammatory markers and serotonergic dynamics in co-morbid obesity and depression. Biochemical and behavioral assays revealed that high-fat diet produced an obesity and depressive-like phenotype in one cohort of rats and that these changes were marked by increases in key pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. In real time using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), we observed no changes in basal levels of hippocampal 5HT; however responses to escitalopram were significantly impaired in the hippocampus of obese rats compared to diet resistant rats and control rats. Further studies revealed that these neurochemical observations could be explained by increases in serotonin transporter (SERT) expression in the hippocampus driven by elevated neuroinflammation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that obesity-induced increases in neuroinflammation adversely affect SERT expression in the hippocampus of obese rats, thereby providing a potential synaptic mechanism for reduced SSRI responsiveness in obese subjects with co-morbid depressive illness.
Energetic Explosions from Collisions of Stars at Relativistic Speeds in Galactic Nuclei.

We consider collisions between stars moving near the speed of light around supermassive black holes (SMBHs), with mass $M_{\bullet}\gtrsim10^8\,M_{\odot}$, without being tidally disrupted. The overall rate for collisions taking place in the inner $\sim1$ pc of galaxies with $M_{\bullet}=10^8,10^9,10^{10}\,M_{\odot}$ are $\Gamma\sim5,0.07,0.02$ yr$^{-1}$, respectively. We further calculate the differential collision rate as a function of total energy released, energy released per unit mass lost, and galactocentric radius. The most common collisions will release energies on the order of $\sim10^{49}-10^{51}$ erg, with the energy distribution peaking at higher energies in galaxies with more massive SMBHs. Depending on the host galaxy mass and the depletion timescale, the overall rate of collisions in a galaxy ranges from a small percentage to several times larger than that of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) for the same host galaxy. In addition, we show example light curves for collisions with varying parameters, and find that the peak luminosity could reach or even exceed that of superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), although with light curves with much shorter duration. Weaker events could initially be mistaken for low-luminosity supernovae. In addition, we note that these events will likely create streams of debris that will accrete onto the SMBH and create accretion flares that may resemble tidal disruption events (TDEs).
Social Features of Integration in Health Systems: Normative and Interpersonal Integration

More is known about the structural features of health system integration than about their social features – elements of normative and interpersonal integration – that might be important factors aff...
The Lived Experience of Health Insurance

People are carrying tens of billions of dollars of medical debt, much of it in collections. We delay going to the Emergency Department while having a heart attack because it may cost too much. Doctors try to help insured patients find the best coupon to offset the high copayment for a necessary prescription drug. For inexpensive drugs, insurers make a profit by clawing back copayments that exceed what the drug costs. People who are already arbitrarily disadvantaged because of race, gender, health status, LGBTQ status, obesity, etc. are disproportionately burdened by all of this. No one would design a system to end up this way. This article, through a series of case studies, does a close analysis of the healthcare insurance system from the perspective of people who use it, revealing a breathtakingly opaque, counter-intuitive, and burdensome muddle. The ACA did much good, as have subsequent reforms, but we can do better. I argue that we do not appropriately center the lived experience of people when we design and reform healthcare financing and show how doing so can ameliorate much of the harm that is currently occurring. Centering people does not pose an inherent conflict with conservative or liberal values. Bioethical principles such as autonomy, justice, integrity, and respect for dignity ought to be reflected in any plan. These principles can only be pursued by acknowledging how people truly experience systems they must interact with.
Pharmacological characterization of DPTN and other selective A3 adenosine receptor antagonists.

The A3 adenosine receptor (AR) is emerging as an attractive drug target. Antagonists are proposed for the potential treatment of glaucoma and asthma. However, currently available A3AR antagonists are potent in human and some large animals, but weak or inactive in mouse and rat. In this study, we re-synthesized a previously reported A3AR antagonist, DPTN, and evaluated its affinity and selectivity at human, mouse, and rat ARs. We showed that DPTN, indeed, is a potent A3AR antagonist for all three species tested, albeit a little less selective for mouse and rat A3AR in comparison to the human A3AR. DPTN's Ki values at respective A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors were (nM) 162, 121, 230, and 1.65 (human); 411, 830, 189, and 9.61 (mouse); and 333, 1147, 163, and 8.53 (rat). Its antagonist activity at both human and mouse A3ARs was confirmed in a cyclic AMP functional assay. Considering controversial use of currently commercially available A3AR antagonists in rats and mice, we also re-examined other commonly used and selective A3AR antagonists under the same experimental conditions. The Ki values of MRS1523 were shown to be 43.9, 349, and 216 nM at human, mouse, and rat A3ARs, respectively. MRS1191 and MRS1334 showed incomplete inhibition of [125I]I-AB-MECA binding to mouse and rat A3ARs, while potent human A3AR antagonists, MRS1220, MRE3008F20, PSB10, PSB-11, and VUF5574 were largely inactive. Thus, we demonstrated that DPTN and MRS1523 are among the only validated A3AR antagonists that can be possibly used (at an appropriate concentration) in mouse or rat to confirm an A3AR-related mechanism or function.
Improving downtown in a mid-sized legacy city: examining responses to potential downtown improvements in Flint, Michigan

While many researchers have examined strategies for revitalizing downtowns, few have done so in small or mid-sized legacy cities. This article adds to the literature by examining 1263 survey responses to statements about potential improvements to the downtown area of Flint, Michigan (USA). Descriptive statistics were used to identify perceptions of the most promising strategies for improvement. Those strategies were further analyzed using regression methods, to determine which characteristics of participants influenced responses. We found that while there are many improvements that might encourage people to come downtown – such as reducing crime, having more to do, making parking easier, and having suitable housing – some traditional improvements advocated by planners (involving proximity, walkability, and bikeability) were not desired. Additionally, we found that responses appeared to be influenced by age, residency status, and perception of downtown, but not by education level, frequency of visiting, or...
Who's got game (theory)?

Many players enjoy the challenge of outwitting computer opponents in strategy games. Devising strategies to defeat a computer opponent may enhance certain cognitive skills (e.g., analysis, evaluation, planning). This thesis takes a constructionist approach to gaming, hypothesizing that players may learn more about strategic planning by building their own computer opponents and then playing them to understand how their strategic theories play out in real experiments. I have developed a graphic toolkit for designing strategy games and computer opponents. The goal is to help students learn the underlying mathematical and computer science theories used to win these games. The tools have been designed to eliminate the overhead of using conventional programming languages to build games and focus students on the pedagogical issues of designing and understanding game theory algorithms. I describe the tools as well as initial evaluations of their effectiveness with populations of teenage students. Teenagers in this study posed their own problems, in the form of games they designed, and then hypothesized about winning strategies. Of their own volition, most teenagers iterated on their strategic designs, reformulated problems and hypotheses, isolated variables, and informed next generation versions of this tool with astute suggestions. The toolkit designed for this thesis has a low floor, making it easy for people to quickly start playing with mathematical concepts, and a high ceiling for sophisticated exploration. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Plasmodium gallinaceum: Transmission-blocking immunity in chickens: II. The effect of antigamete antibodies in vitro and in vivo and their elaboration during infection

Abstract Heat-inactivated serum from chickens with transmission-blocking immunity to Plasmodium gallinaceum prevented the in vitro development of ookinetes from gametocytes of P. gallinaceum only when present during the period between the initiation of gametogeriesis and the release of the microgametes. When added after this time immune serum failed to suppress ookinete development. Immune serum did not prevent the formation of gametes from gametocytes. These results are interpreted to indicate that immune serum contains factors which prevent fertilization of the malarial gametes but which do not affect the development of the zygote once fertilization has taken place. Two distinct reactions of malarial gametes with serum from chickens with transmission-suppressing immunity are described—the gamete-agglutination (AG) reaction and the microgamete surface-fixation (SF) reaction. Both reactions were associated with the immunoglobulin fraction of immune serum. The presence of SF antibodies during a blood infection correlated closely with effective transmission-blocking immunity in vivo ; AG antibodies, on the other hand, were present in various circumstances in the absence of transmission-blocking immunity. AG and SF antibodies occurred not only in birds immunized with P. gallinaceum -gamete preparations but also during or following infections in unimmunized birds; SF antibodies appeared only following the peak of asexual infection in unimmunized birds and were of low titer. In immunized birds blood infections following live challenge invariably boosted low levels of SF antibodies. The results of immunization of chickens and Rhesus monkeys with gametes of their respective malaria parasites, P. gallinaceum and P. knowlesi , are compared.
Glass and Glass-Ceramics

The classic definition of glass is based on the historical method of formation: This is a very unusual way of defining any material. The result is that glass is now defined in several different ways.
High performance CMOS converter design in TSMC 0.18-/spl mu/m process

This paper demonstrates the low voltage operation of a double balanced Gilbert mixer fabricated in 0.18-/spl mu/m standard/bulk CMOS process. A tuned load was used to ensure the rail-to-rail swing and a source degeneration resistor was used to improve the linearity. As an upconverter, the mixer demonstrates 1.65 dB of conversion gain at an RF frequency of 1.9 GHz with an applied local oscillator power of -1.2 dBm. The noise figure of the designed mixer is 17.2 dB, and the third-order input-referred intercept point (IIP3) is 20.45 dBm.
Braess Paradox in the Laboratory: Experimental Study of Route Choice in Traffic Networks with Asymmetric Costs

The Braess Paradox (BP) in traffic and communication networks is a powerful illustration of the possible counterintuitive implications of the Nash equilibrium solution. It shows that, paradoxically, when one or more links are added to a weighted network with linear costs that depend on congestion with an attempt to improve it, and each user independently seeks her best possible route, then the equilibrium cost of travel of all users may increase. Extending previous research by Rapoport et al. (2005), we report the results of a new experiment with a richer topology and asymmetric link costs of travel designed to assess the descriptive power of the BP. Our results show that with experience in traversing the network players' choice frequencies approach the equilibrium solution as implied by the BP.
Fluorescence microscopy point spread function model accounting for aberrations due to refractive index variability within a specimen

A three-dimensional (3-D) point spread function (PSF) model for wide-field fluorescence microscopy, suitable for imaging samples with variable refractive index (RI) in multilayered media, is presented. This PSF model is a key component for accurate 3-D image restoration of thick biological samples, such as lung tissue. Microscope- and specimen-derived parameters are combined with a rigorous vectorial formulation to obtain a new PSF model that accounts for additional aberrations due to specimen RI variability. Experimental evaluation and verification of the PSF model was accomplished using images from 175-nm fluorescent beads in a controlled test sample. Fundamental experimental validation of the advantage of using improved PSFs in depth-variant restoration was accomplished by restoring experimental data from beads (6 μm in diameter) mounted in a sample with RI variation. In the investigated study, improvement in restoration accuracy in the range of 18 to 35% was observed when PSFs from the proposed model were used over restoration using PSFs from an existing model. The new PSF model was further validated by showing that its prediction compares to an experimental PSF (determined from 175-nm beads located below a thick rat lung slice) with a 42% improved accuracy over the current PSF model prediction.
Effects of demineralization on the stable isotope analysis of bone samples

Author(s): Tomaszewicz, Calandra N Turner; Seminoff, Jeffrey A; Ramirez, Matthew D; Kurle, Carolyn M | Abstract: RationaleThe sampling of sequential, annually formed bone growth layers for stable carbon (δ(13)C values) and nitrogen (δ(15)N values) isotope analysis (SIA) can provide a time series of foraging ecology data. To date, no standard protocol exists for the pre-SIA treatment of cortical samples taken from fresh, modern, bones.MethodsBased on the SIA of historical bone, it is assumed that fresh bone samples must be pre-treated with acid prior to SIA. Using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer to measure stable carbon and nitrogen ratios, we tested the need to acidify cortical bone powder with 0.25 M HCl prior to SIA to isolate bone collagen for the determination of δ(13)C and δ(15)N values. We also examined the need for lipid extraction to remove potential biases related to δ(13)C analysis, based on a C:N ratio threshold of 3.5.ResultsIt was found that acidification of micromilled cortical bone samples from marine turtles does not affect their δ(15)N values, and the small effect acidification has on δ(13)C values can be mathematically corrected for, thus eliminating the need for pre-SIA acidification of cortical bone. The lipid content of the cortical bone samples was low, as measured by their C:N ratios, indicating that lipid extracting cortical bone samples from modern marine turtles is unnecessary.ConclusionsWe present a standard protocol for testing fresh, modern cortical bone samples prior to SIA, facilitating direct comparison of future studies. Based on the results obtained from marine turtle bones, pre-acidification and lipid removal of cortical bone are not recommended. This is especially useful as there is frequently not enough bone material removed via micromilling of sequential growth layers to accommodate both acid treatment and SIA.
Statistical analysis of polyatomic quantum beats using the properties of random matrices

We have devised a numerical method of analyzing polyatomic quantum beats for the case when so many states are coherently excited that the properties of individual states are inaccessible. The method involves ensemble averaging singlet character distributions obtained by diagonalization of random matrices and using these distributions in simulations of observable quantum beats. By ensemble averaging the simulated quantum beats, we can correlate the average parameters which describe the observable fluorescence decays to the molecular parameters that determine the form of the random matrices. We have found that when very complicated quantum beat effects are observed, extra information is available which relates the overall width of the singlet character distribution to a third observable parameter beyond the two parameters that have traditionally been employed to characterize biexponential fluorescence. In the absence of hyperfine structure this method allows the determination of the width of the singlet cha...
Two Dimensional NMR Time Evolution Correlation Spectroscopy in Liquid Crystals

Abstract Two dimensional NMR time evolution correlation spectroscopy, where a correlation of NMR relaxation and line-shapes are performed, provides a powerful tool in characterization of systems involving two or more spin groups. This technique is applied to proton NMR study in liquid crystal para-azoxy anisole in the nematic phase at two different frequencies. Two different spin groups corresponding to methyl and phenyl protons are identified, as expected. The methyl proton spin lattice relaxation time shows a greater frequency dependence compared to phenyl protons.
An experimentally validated contactless acoustic energy transfer model with resistive-reactive electrical loading

This paper investigates analytical modeling and experimental validation of Ultrasonic Acoustic Energy Transfer (UAET) for low-power electricity transfer to exploit in wireless applications ranging from medical implants to underwater sensor systems. A piezoelectric receiver bar is excited by incident acoustic waves originating from a source of known strength located at a specific distance from the receiver. The receiver is a free-free piezoelectric cylinder operating in the 33- mode of piezoelectricity with a fundamental resonance frequency above the audible frequency range. In order to extract the electrical power output, the piezoelectric receiver bar is shunted to a generalized resistive-reactive circuit. The goal is to quantify the electrical power delivered to the load (connected to the receiver) in terms of the source strength. Experimental validations are presented along with parameter optimization studies. Sensitivity of the electrical power output to the excitation frequency in the neighborhood of the receiver’s underwater resonance frequency, source-to-receiver distance, and source-strength level are reported. Resistive and resistive-reactive electrical loading cases are discussed for performance enhancement and frequency-wise robustness. Simulations and experiments reveal that the presented multiphysics analytical model for UAET can be used to predict the coupled system dynamics with very good accuracy.
Size-induced transition-temperature reduction in nanoparticles of ZnS

X-ray-diffraction studies of nanometer-sized particles of zinc sulfide show a significant reduction in the zinc-blende-to-wurtzite phase transition temperature, as compared to the bulk value. Five nanoparticle samples were annealed in vacuum at temperatures increasing from room temperature (23 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) to 500 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Post-anneal analyses revealed an increase of crystallite size, accompanied by a partial transformation from the cubic, zinc-blende structure to the hexagonal, wurtzite structure at temperatures as low as 400 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. This is significantly less than accepted bulk transition temperature of 1020 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The particles also show some lattice distortion with decreasing particle size and there is a monotonic reduction in the specific volume of about 2.3% as the particle size decreases from about 240 to about 30 \AA{}.
Fabrication of integrated diffractive micro-optics for MEMS applications

We investigated the fabrication of integrated diffractive micro-optical features on MEMS structures for the purpose of motion detection. The process of producing the diffractive features and the MEMS structures by focused ion beam milling is described in detail, as is the ion beam sputtering process used to produce coatings on these structures. The diffractive features of the circular Fresnel zone plate (FZP) and spiral FZP were fabricated on MEMS structures and the relevant diffraction theory is discussed. The spiral FZP diffractive features produced well defined foci whose intensity varies with distance from the FZP. Observation of these intensity variations enabled us to detect the motion of the MEMS structure, and the resulting device was used to scan an IR image of a hot object.
Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Machining Spindle with Active Magnetic Bearings

Active magnetic bearings (AMBs) are increasingly employed in the machine tool industry to exploit their advantages over classical bearings such as high speed capability, rotation accuracy, high stiffness, and accurate displacement tracking capability. Furthermore, the possibility of on-line monitoring of the machining process (e.g., cutting force measurement, tool wear) makes AMB spindles very appealing to the High-Speed Machining (HSM) industry. Despite significant progress already reached in HSM technology, there remain numerous open challenges in modeling and control of magnetic bearings as applied to machining spindles. These include optimum control given AMB magnetic saturation levels, management of nonlinear effects, reduction of chatter, and rotor properties. This paper describes a five-degree-of-freedom, high-speed machining spindle supported on AMBs. The rotordynamic modeling and experimentally extracted transfer functions are presented and analyzed. The experimentally measured tool tip compliance is used to compare PID and mu-synthesis control schemes. The primary finding is that the achieved tool tip stiffness is substantially higher with the μ-synthesized controllers than with the best PID we were able to design.
High-performance liquid chromatography of electrolysis solutions: a study of the reduction of carbon disulfide in n,n-dimethylformamide

Abstract High-performance liquid chromatographic (h.p.l.c.) and mass spectral studies of CS 2 /N,N-dimethylformamide/tetrabutylammonium iodide electrolysis solutions have shown that trithiocarbonate is not formed initially in the electrochemical reduction of CS 2 . The h.p.l.c. separation on a Partisil 10-ODS column indicated the presence of at least six products or intermediates in this electrode process. A major chromatographic peak is assigned to the tetrathiooxalate dianion (C 2 S 4 2- ) which demonstrates the importance of this species as an intermediate in the CS 2 reduction process.
Rationally designed gibbous stimuli-responsive colloidal nanoparticles.

Multiphase colloidal copolymer nanoparticles, if properly designed, offer a number of unique properties and well-documented technological opportunities for drug delivery, nanolithography, high surface area colloidal crystals, or hollow nanoparticles, to name just a few. Using a simple free radical polymerization process, we synthesized copolymer nanoparticles with controlled stimuli-responsive phase-separated gibbosities. The topography of the gibbous phase can be controlled by the copolymer composition and polymerization conditions. When pH-sensitive monomers were copolymerized onto surface bulges, pH changes resulted in localized gibbous phase dimensional changes. Facilitated by monomer diffusion into interfacial particle seed solution regions, localized polymerization near the surface is responsible for the formation of phase-separated gibbous topographies. This general approach may offer a number of possibilities for controllable design of ordered heterogeneous copolymer morphologies for a variety of ...
Distinguishing defensive pessimism from depression: Negative expectations and positive coping mechanisms

Anticipatory thoughts and feelings of defensively pessimistic and moderately depressed college students were compared in order to identify factors that distinguish effective strategies of negative thinking from those that may be maladaptive. Three components of anticipatory strategies — expectations, anxiety, and extent of preparation — were assessed at three times over the course of stressful social situations in the subjects' own lives. Defensive pessimists were similar to the moderately depressed subjects in that they reported negative expectations and high levels of anxiety before their events occurred. However, defensive pessimists (like optimists) did not share the depressed subjects' avoidant ways of coping. Although there were no apparent differences in the severity of the situations described by defensive pessimists and depressed subjects, only depressed subjects experienced residual anxiety and rumination after their events were over. Effective preparation before situations occur and nonavoidant ways of coping seem to distinguish the defensive pessimists' negative strategy from that of moderately depressed persons.
Nonoccupational physical activity by degree of urbanization and U.S. geographic region.

Purpose: To estimate levels of nonoccupational leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) by degree of urbanization and geographic region of the United States. Methods: Participants were respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2001 (N = 137,359). Moderate- and vigorous-intensity LTPA was categorized as meeting recommended levels, insufficient, or inactive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture rural-urban continuum codes were used to describe degrees of urbanization (metro, large urban, small urban, and rural). Geographic regions were defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West). Prevalence estimates were calculated using sample weights to account for the design of the BRFSS. Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined regional differences in the odds of physical inactivity (physically inactive vs insufficient or meets) by degree of urbanization after adjustment for sex, age, race, BMI, education, and occupational physical activity. Results: Large urban areas (49.0%) and the western United States (49.0%) had the highest prevalence of recommended levels of LTPA. Rural areas (24.1%) and the southern United States (17.4%) had the highest prevalence of inactivity. Adults living in the four urbanization categories of the midwestern (metro (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.31, 1.65), large urban (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.51, 2.23), small urban (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.65, 2.40), and rural (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.35, 4.97)); and southern (metro (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.53, 1.88), large urban (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.72, 2.41), small urban (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 2.02, 2.67), and rural (OR = 5.49, 95% CI = 2.82, 10.68)) U.S. regions were more likely to be inactive than adults living in similar areas of the western United States. Adults in northeast metro and large urban areas (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.45, 1.81; and OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.74, respectively) were more likely to be inactive than those residing in western metro and large urban areas. Conclusion: The prevalence of physical inactivity varies by degree of urbanization and geographic region of the United States.
Prolactin activation of IRF-1 transcription involves changes in histone acetylation.

In response to prolactin (PRL) signaling, transcription of the interferon regulatory factor-1 gene (IRF-1) is rapidly induced during early G1, declines in mid G1, and rises again over the G1/S transition phase of the cell cycle in Nb2 T cells. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we show that histone H4 acetylation increases over a 1.7 kb region of the IRF-1 promoter in early G1 and again at the G1/S transition in response to PRL stimulation. These results demonstrate a correlation between histone H4 hyperacetylation at the IRF-1 promoter and biphasic transcription of IRF-1 in response to PRL signaling in vivo.
ESTIMATION Of PARTICLE SIZE bY DRIFTS and FTIR-PAS

ABSTRACT Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) were used to study particle size and distribution of sucrose powder. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to correlate spectral data with particle size. FTIR-PAS spectra were similar to the spectra obtained using DRIFTS when the sample is mixed with 95% potassium bromide (KBr). Both DRIFTS and FTIR-PAS methods can successfully predict the mean panicle size and concentration in binary and quaternary mixtures. R-square values for both DRIFTS and FTIR-PAS are greater than 0.9.
The isotropic assumption during the Czochralski growth of single semiconductors crystals

Abstract The finite element method is used in order to determine the validity of the commonly made assumption that crystals grown by the Czochralski method may be modeled as elastically isotropic. Using elastic constants typical of Si, GaAs, InP, and GaSb, we calculate the stresses and dislocation densities under the isotropic assumption, and also by fully accounting for the elastic anisotropy of crystals grown along the or directions. Comparison of the two calculations determines the extent of the validity of the isotropic assumption. We also address the question of whether or not it is possible to suppress the dependence of the stresses on the circumferential coordinate, thus reducing the original three-dimensional problem (dependence on r , θ, z ) to a two-dimensional problem (dependence on r, z only) involving fewer unknowns, while still accounting (in an approximate manner) for the anisotropy of the grown crystal in a satisfactory way. Under these circumstances, the Navier-Stokes equations for the radial u ( r, z ) and axial displacement w ( r, z ) are derived. These equations involve the Poisson ratio as well as a measure of the anisotropy of the crystal, but they are independent of the circumferential coordinate θ.
Acoustic performance of inlet multiple-pure-tone suppressors installed on NASA quiet engine C

The length of multiple-pure-tone (MPT) treatment required to reasonably suppress the MPT's produced by a supersonic tip speed fan was defined. Other suppression, broadband, and blade passing frequency, which might be accomplished were also determined. The experimental results are presented in terms of both far-field and duct acoustic data.
Furstenberg's theorem for nonlinear stochastic systems

We extend Furstenberg's theorem to the case of an i.i.d. random composition of incompressible diffeomorphisms of a compact manifold M. The original theorem applies to linear maps {Xi}i∈N on ℝm with determinant 1, and says that the highest Lyapunov exponent $$\beta \equiv \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } \frac{1}{n}||X_n \circ ... \circ X_1 ||$$ is strictly positive unless there is a probability measure on the projective (m-1)-space which is a.s. invariant under the action of Xi. Our extension refers to a probability measure on the projective bundle over M.
Atmospheric Transfer of Carbon-14: A Problem in Fungus Translocation Studies

The carbon-14-labeled carbon dioxide that is released by respiration after glucose labeled with carbon-14 is applied to fungal mycelium can be reabsorbed in highly significant amounts by distant mycelium and agar media in the same petri dishes. Atmospheric transfer of carbon-14 must be considered when using labeled organic compounds to study translocation in fungi.
Diurnal and seasonal variation of structural element thermal signatures

A statistical approach is taken to present and analyze large amounts of physical and radiometric temperature data for structural materials as well as weather data collected over a period of several years at sites in both the United States and Europe. Diurnal temperature curves are presented as a function of time-of-year, surface material type, and surface orientation. Empirical temperature prediction models for different surface types as a function of weather parameters are developed for a given set of data to demonstrate the utility of maintaining large temperature/weather data bases in support of first-principles thermal modeling.
Integrating ethics into the strategic management process: doing well by doing good

Using ethical considerations in strategic decision making will result in the development of the most effective long term and short term strategies. Specifically, ethical criteria must be included as part of the strategic process in before‐profit decisions rather than after‐profit decisions in order to maximize corporate profits and improve strategy development and implementation. This paper presents a system of decision making to achieve this integration which uses an “interest assessment” that involves the analysis of the ethical, social and legal obligations of an organization.
Gout Without Hyperuricemia

ACUTE GOUTY arthritis can rarely present with persistently normal serum urate levels. The following case illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic misadventures that can occur when acute gout is not considered because of normal uric acid levels. The pathophysiologic characteristics underlying urate crystal deposition can be readily explained by the physicochemical properties of sodium urate. Report of a Case An 88-year-old man presented in a wheelchair to a rheumatology consultation clinic on July 15,1992. He had noted onset of pain and swelling in his right foot in early April 1992, 48 hours after his toenails had been trimmed by a podiatrist. His entire foot was swollen and so painful that it could not bear weight. He was taking codeine every 4 hours for pain control. A presumptive diagnosis of gout had been made by an internist on July 15, 1980, because of acute podagra responsive to therapy with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
Biomaterials research in neural prostheses.

Abstract Neural prosthetic implants share many of the biomaterials requirements of other implants. They also have unique needs that are not satisfied by available materials. Specific biomaterials research problems are identified and possible solutions discussed.
Weak sustainability and viable technologies

Abstract The context of the concept of weak sustainability is examined using a three-tier hierarchy of value. We argue that weak sustainability is relevant only in the context of market exchange at a particular point in time. It offers an inadequate guide to the sustainability of social institutions and of the natural world. On the other hand, Georgescu-Roegen's concept of a viable technology recognizes that the integrity of the social and environmental systems surrounding market activity must be maintained if the human species is to persist through time. The concept of viability recognizes that market activity depends not only upon the sustaining functions of the environment but also upon the social sustaining functions of human institutions.
Sleep quality and its correlates in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional design.

AbstractPurpose: Since sympathovagal imbalance influences clinical phenomena, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sleeping problems, there should be correlations between these conditions. We hypothesized that sleep quality would be correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood pressure and the presence of diabetes. Methods: We included 303 CKD patients in this study. We employed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Short Form 36 Quality of Life Health Survey Questions (SF-36) to screen sleeping disturbances, depression and quality of life, respectively. A chart review was performed for the patients' demographics, diagnoses and certain laboratory parameters—including blood glucose, hemoglobin, albumin, calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone and eGFR. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to estimate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 303 patients in this cross-s...
Fear-potentiated startle in adolescent offspring of parents with anxiety disordersf ☆

Abstract Background: The startle reflex and its potentiation by aversive states was used as a possible vulnerability marker for anxiety disorders in adolescent offspring of parents with this condition. Methods: The participants were 39 low-risk adolescents (16 male/23 female) with a parental history of no psychiatric disorder and 35 high-risk adolescents (18 male/17 female) with a parental history of anxiety disorders. The magnitude of startle was examined at baseline and during anticipation of an aversive stimulus (fear-potentiated startle). Results: Startle was found to discriminate between children at high and low risk for anxiety disorders; however, different abnormalities for high-risk male and female subjects were observed. Startle levels, overall, were elevated among high-risk female subjects, whereas high-risk male subjects exhibited greater magnitude of startle potentiation during aversive anticipation. Conclusions: Startle reactivity may serve as a vulnerability marker for the development of anxiety disorders. With its basic grounding in animal and human behavioral research, startle may enhance our understanding of the underlying neurobiological bases of human anxiety states.
Exact Solutions for Steady Capillary Waves on a Fluid Annulus

Summary. Exact solutions for steady capillary waves on an annulus of swirling irrotational fluid are presented. The solutions have an intimate mathematical connection with the finite amplitude waves on fluid sheets identified by Kinnersley [8]. This mathematical connection is made explicit by first retrieving the solutions of Kinnersley using an extension of a new approach to free surface potential flows with capillarity recently devised by the present author (Crowdy [3]). A much-simplified representation of Kinnersley’s original solutions results from the reformulation. The method is then generalized to identify the exact solutions for steady capillary waves on an annulus.
Core-level photoemission and work-function investigation of Na on Cu(110).

Core-level photoemission, low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and work-function change measurements have been carried out to study the coverage dependence of Na/Cu(110) at room temperature. The results of LEED and work-function measurements are qualitatively similar to most other investigations of alkali-metal adsorption on fcc(110) metal surfaces. With LEED, we observed an alkali-metal-induced (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) reconstruction at intermediate coverage. We have performed a simple calculation to account for the work-function differences between Na/fcc(110) and Na/fcc(111) metal surfaces. The comparison of coverage-dependent core-level binding-energy shifts between Na/Cu(110) and Na/Cu(111) reveals that a low-coverage plateau in the curve of binding energy vs Na coverage for Na/Cu(110) is associated with the Na-induced reconstruction, and can be accounted for within a localized picture of the reconstruction.
Premenarchal, recurrent vaginal discharge associated with an incomplete obstructing longitudinal vaginal septum.

Abstract Study Objective To describe an unusual, premenarchal presentation of an obstructive vaginal anomaly. Design Case Report Setting University Medical Center Participants Premenarchal subject Interventions vaginogram, vaginal septum resection Results Vaginal septum resection with resolution of vaginal discharge. Conclusions This case demonstrates some of the typical features of uterus didelphys bicollis with incomplete obstructing hemivagina, but had a unique presentation with premenarchal, recurrent vaginal discharge. Typically, patients with an obstructing mullerian anomaly present after menarche with pelvic pain and a mass. The vaginogram assists in the preoperative definition of abnormal anatomy which allows the surgeon to develop the most appropriate surgical approach. Resection of this incompletely obstructing vaginal septum resulted in resolution of the recurrent vaginal discharge.
The impact of clustering in physician and pharmacy services on the accuracy of pharmaceutical exposure risk estimates

Record-linkage databases have been used to evaluate the safety of approved drugs. Outcome and exposure data collected in these databases are contingent upon temporal contacts between patients and their physicians and pharmacists. We examined the theoretical effect of temporal clustering in physician and pharmacy services on pharmaceutical risk estimates by generating computer modeled datasets of the dates of provider services. Incidence density ratios were estimated for each dataset by comparing the incidence of the hypothetical outcome during exposure to that during no exposure. The presence of clustering in provider services, the risk associated with exposure, the length of the risk period, the number of refills and the underlying physician visit rates were varied by dataset. Biased estimates of the incidence density ratio were obtained in datasets with clustering. The magnitude of bias decreased with increasing length of the risk period, increasing number of refills and increasing physician visit rate. A sample of an HMO record-linkage database showed evidence of clustering in physician visits at the patient level when the transaction dates for all physician visits were tested for clustering. Researchers using record-linkage databases or data derived from patient interactions with providers to study the acute risk of pharmaceutical exposures, should consider the possibility of biased risk estimates for outcomes that cluster with other outcomes and exposure.
The cytogenetic, proliferative and viability effects of four bacteriophages on human lymphocytes

Certain bacteriophages have been found in live virus vaccines, while a few others have been associated with disease states. Some of these phages have produced abnormal growth of eukaryotic tissue cultures. For this reason bacteriophages phiX-174, MS2, T2 and an isolate from live virus vaccines, phiV-1, were incubated with human cell cultures for examination of chromosomal effects, cell proliferation and viability. Mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes and human embryonic kidney tissue cultures showed no increase in chromosomal abnormalities for high doses of phage-infected versus control cultures. Tritiated-thymidine uptake, correlated with mitotic indices for phage-treated lymphocyte cultures, indicated a reduction in cell division, while 51-chromium release studies showed no cell death occurring in these cultures. This suggested that inhibition of DNA synthesis was occurring in some cells. The presence of phage in the supernate of cells that were exposed to phage suggested the possibility of phage attachment to the plasma membranes of lymphocytes, which may in turn affect the suppression of DNA synthesis.