cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hexokinase activity in non-inflamed attached gingiva of rhesus monkeys.

Ultramicrochemical methods were used to assay hexokinase activity under optimum substrate mixture concentrations in clinically non-inflamed attached gingival tissue of Rhesus monkeys. Precautions were taken to assure the clinical non-inflamed status of the gingivectomy specimens. Frozen dried sections were dissected under a stereomicroscope into representative morphologically distinct fragments which ranged in weight from 14 to 240 nanograms (10−9 grams). Optimum assay conditions were determined in fresh gingival homogenates. Quantitative results for the various strata of epithelium, connective tissue and whole epithelium were calculated. The mean hexokinase activity was reported in micromoles of converted substrate per gram of dry tissue weight per minute at 37°C: surface layer 22.4. granular layer 22.6, spinous layer 18.9, basal layer 15.9, connective tissue 16.6 and whole epithelium 18.0. These results are compatible, for the most part, with hexokinase activity assayed in other epithelial tissue, such as skin of the parietal region of the scalp, plantar surface of the foot and mucous membrane from the lip, all of which are less commonly involved in chronic inflammatory processes than is gingival tissue.
Rapid release of [3H]dopamine from median eminence and striatal synaptosomes.

: Release of preaccumulated, tritium-labeled dopa-mine ([3H]DA) from preparations of isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) of rat median eminence (ME) and corpus striatum (CS) was examined over short time intervals (1–20 s). In both preparations, basal efflux of [3H]DA was linear with time. Depolarization with high K+ resulted in an initial rapid release of [3H]DA which stabilized by 20 s, whereas veratridine elicited an increased rate of release over basal levels that was linear over the first 20 s. The calculated rate constants of release for both the initial phase of K+-and the veratridine-stimulated release were approximately threefold greater in CS than in ME synaptosomes. The major component of the high K+-induced release of [3H]DA from both synaptosome preparations increased as a graded function of [Ca2+]o. However, a smaller component, independent of external Ca2+, existed in both ME and CS synaptosomes. Increasing the [Mg2+] in the external solution resulted in a right shift of both the [K+]o and the [Ca2+]o dose-response curves, consistent with actions of Mg2+ on screening surface membrane charges and blocking voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. In all studies, steady-state uptake of the [3H]DA was about twofold greater into CS than into ME synaptosomes. Moreover, the fraction of incorporated [3H]DA released by stimulation from the CS was much greater than that released from ME synaptosomes. These data are consistent with differences between these two types of dopaminergic terminals with respect to packaging and/ or distribution of the accumulated neurotransmitter in intraneuronal pools, as well as marked differences in the apparent kinetics of DA release.
Heat Transfer in Two-Pass Rotating Rectangular Channels (AR=1:2 and AR=1:4) With Smooth Walls

The experiments are conducted at four Reynolds numbers: 5000, 10,000, 25,000, and 40,000. The rotation numbers vary from 0.0 to 0.21 and 0.0 to 0.3 for AR=1:2 and AR=1:4, respectively. For each channel, two channel orientations are studied, 90° and 45° with respect to the plane of rotation
Synchronization of estrus and fertility in goats with norgestomet ear implants

Abstract Estrus was synchronized in 64 dairy goats in July with norgestomet ear implants. Half the does received ear implants that contained 6 mg norgestomet and the remaining does received implants that contained 3 mg. Implants were left in place for 11 days. Each doe received i.m. injections of 400 IU PMSG and 50 μg cloprostenol 24 hours prior to implant removal. Twenty-eight of 32 does (87.5%) that received 6 mg or 3 mg norgestomet exhibited onset of estrus within 24 hours of implant removal. All does had exhibited onset of standing estrus by 43 hours after implant removal. Does were hand-mated to fertile bucks twice daily while in standing estrus. There were no differences between does implanted with 6 mg or 3 mg in fertility to the induced estrus (74.2% vs 75% kidding), mean length of gestation (151.0 ± 3.2 vs 151.6 ± 2.0 days), mean number of kids per doe (2.1 ± 0.8 vs 2.3 ± 0.7) or in mean kid weights (3.10 ± 0.80 vs 3.06 ± 0.86 kg) (6 mg vs 3 mg, respectively). It was concluded that ear implants that contained 3 mg of norgestomet were equally as effective as implants that contained 6 mg for synchronization of estrus in dairy goats.
Preliminary investigation of human lymphatic malformations in vitro.

Purpose: To develop an in vitro model of human lymphatic malformations (LM) that reflects histological characteristics of native LM. Methods: Fresh human LM (n = 6) were harvested, sectioned, explanted into a fibrinogen gel, and cultured. A total of 25 explants were developed and observed for primary and peripheral cellular growth. On days 9 to 10, the cultured tissues and gels were collected and fixed in 10% formalin. Primary LM and surrounding gel matrix were sectioned and stained for H&E analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed for Prox-1 and D2-40, known markers for lymphatic endothelium, and Ki-67, a marker of cellular proliferation. Results: On culture day 3, cells were observed to grow into the gel surrounding the primary tissue explants. Persistent and significant growth into the gel matrix was observed for each specimen at subsequent measurement intervals (day 6 and day 10, P < .0001). H&E staining of all the LM explants demonstrated survival and intact organization and cellular structure reflective of the original LM specimens. Microchannels were observed in the surrounding gel suggesting the presence of newly formed lymphatic vessels. Positive-immunohistochemical staining for D2-40 and Prox-1 revealed organized lymphatic endothelia within each specimen and associated microchannels distal to the explants in the gel matrix. Scattered cells in the gel matrix stained positive for Ki-67. Conclusions: This experimental model suggests that human LM can be preserved and observed to grow in vitro with structural characteristics, and immunohistologic qualities similar to native LM. This model may provide a facile tool for basic and translational research on LM. Laryngoscope, 121:2435-2442, 2011
Scenario Analysis of Children's Ingestion Accidents

This paper reports the results of a scenario analysis of ingestion accidents involving children under five years of age. The variables of primary interest were the location of the child and the supervising adult, what each of them was doing before the accident, the nature and location of the substance, and how it was accessed and opened. Several frequent scenarios were identified. They indicate that most ingestion accidents happen in the course of normal events in the home rather than under unusual circumstances. Another interesting finding was that products with safety caps were involved in 57% of these cases. Results demonstrate the need for a modification of cap design and a public education program for parents regarding situations that lead to ingestion accidents.
The role of continuous and discrete water structures in protein function

Proteins have evolved to perform numerous roles as specific catalysts and nano-machines. Some of the mechanisms exploited by evolution are clear. Hydrophobicity drives the stabilization energy of folding, charges mediate long-range interactions and facilitate catalysis, and specific geometries and hydrogen bonding patterns facilitate molecular recognition and catalysis. In this work, we examine the energy landscape of protein dynamics in terms of the continuous and discrete water structures that control protein dynamics. We observe that the internal structures at the active site of proteins are constantly shaped by strong interactions with hydration shell and bulk water motions. By describing the energy landscape of proteins in terms of its three component motions; conformational, hydration and protonation, and electronic structure, it is possible to systematically understand protein function.
Mechanism for nitric oxide's enhancement of NMDA-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine release from rat hippocampal slices

Abstract Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that nitric oxide (NO) gas enhances NMDA-stimulated release of preloaded tritiated norepinephrine ([ 3 H]NA) from rat brain slices in a dose-dependent, oxygen-sensitive, and cyclic GMP-independent manner. In this study we have attempted to determine the mechanism for the enhancement of neurotransmitter release seen with NO. NO-enhanced transmitter release was not due to buffer acidification or generation of NO degradation products, since reducing buffer pH below 7.3 inhibited NMDA-stimulated [ 3 H]NA release and nitrite or nitrate ions (3–100 μM) had no significant effect on release. Carbon monoxide (CO, 10–300 μM), another diatomic gas with properties similar to NO including heme binding and guanylate cyclase activation, had no significant effect on depolarization-induced [ 3 H]NA release. The NO effect was probably not due to mono-ADP-ribosylation of cellular proteins, since the ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) inhibitors nicotinamide (10 μM-10 μM) and luminol (1 μM-1 mM) did not diminish the enhancement of transmitter release seen with NO. The NA reuptake inhibitor desmesthylimipramine (DMI, 10 nM-10 μM) neither mimicked nor blocked the effect of NO, suggesting that NO was not acting via inhibition or reversal of the NA transporter. Similar to NO, the metabolic inhibitors sodium azide (NaN 3 , 0.1–3 mM), potassium cyanide (KCN, 0.1–3 mM), and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP, 10–300 μM) also dose-dependently enhanced NMDA-stimulated [ 3 H]NA release. These results suggest that NO may enhance neurotransmitter release by inhibiting cellular respiration and perhaps ultimately via altering calcium homeostasis.
Synaptonemal polycomplexes in spermatocytes of the gooseneck barnacle, Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby ( Crustacea: Cirripedia )

Polycomplexes are described for the first time in spermatocytes of a cirripede crustacean, Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby. Synaptonemal complexes of regular tripartite construction are seen from zygotene to mid-pachytene. Although some of the synaptonemal complexes are disrupted at late pachytene and may degenerate at this stage, some persist and by diplotene may form polycomplexes by the bending and self-fusion of their lateral elements. These polycomplexes are still encompassed by chromosomes and consist of four dense plates and intercalated central elements and transverse fibers. Other polycomplexes with five or six dense plates, all of which are considerably wider than lateral elements of mid-pachytene synaptonemal complexes, are also seen in diplotene nuclei. These may be attached to a chromosome at only one end or may be in the nucleoplasm, free of chromosomal involvement except for fine fibrous connectives. No polycomplexes are seen in meiotic cells after diplotene and their fate is unknown. It is suggested that poly-complexes serve as sequestra for synaptonemal material which could prevent normal chromosomal disjunction.
Power-Aware Consolidation of Scientific Workflows in Virtualized Environments

The recent emergence of clouds with large, virtualized pools of compute and storage resources raises the possibility of a new compute paradigm for scientific research. With virtualization technologies, consolidation of scientific workflows presents a promising opportunity for energy and resource cost optimization, while achieving high performance. We have developed pSciMapper, a power-aware consolidation framework for scientific workflows. We view consolidation as a hierarchical clustering problem, and introduce a distance metric that is based on interference between resource requirements. A dimensionality reduction method (KCCA) is used to relate the resource requirements to performance and power consumption. We have evaluated pSciMapper with both real-world and synthetic scientific workflows, and demonstrated that it is able to reduce power consumption by up to 56%, with less than 15% slowdown. Our experiments also show that scheduling overheads of pSciMapper are low, and the algorithm can scale well for workflows with hundreds of tasks.
Toxicity of Fungicides and an Acaricide to Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and their Effects on Bee Foraging Behavior and Pollen Viability on Blooming Apples and Pears

Fungicides triforine, triflumizole, and DuPont 6573, and the acaricide hexythiazox were tested for honey bee toxicity and effect on bee foraging and pollen viability in blooming apple and pear. None of the materials was toxic to honey bees or reduced bloom visitation. Only a high rate of hexythiazox significantly reduced apple pollen germination. Pear pollen germination was significantly reduced by triforine, hexythiazox, and triflumizole. Ramifications to fruit set are discussed.
Serologic survey for Lelystad and VR-2332 strains of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus in US swine herds.

Viral infection of the monocyte-macrophage system of this pigeon demonstrated by both light and transmission electron microscopy suggests that the virus may interfere with antigen processing in pigeons, as is speculated in psittacine birds with PBFD. Multiple infections with bacteria (Chlamydia psittaci, Pasteurella sp., and an enteropathogenic coccobacillus), parasites (Tetrameres sp., and Trichomonas sp.), and viruses (presumptive paramyxovirus or herpesvirus) suggest that acquired immunodeficiency was associated with the circoviruslike agent. Immunohistochemistry, DNA in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction with DNA dot-blot hybridization indicate that this pigeon circa-like virus is distinct from PBFD virus with respect to antigenicity and nucleic acid sequence. However, both viruses are similar with respect to suggestion of acquired immunodeficiency and association with a plethora of secondary infections.
Rotational tuning of Hc2 anomalies in ErNi2B2C: Angular-dependent superzone gap formation and its effect on the superconducting ground state

ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C is a member of the RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C family of magnetic superconductors, with T{sub c}{approx_equal}11 K and T{sub N}{approx_equal}6 K. For magnetic fields applied along the magnetically hard c axis, the upper critical field H{sub c2} manifests a clear, sharp local maximum at T{sub N}. For magnetic fields applied within the basal plane, features in H{sub c2} are less distinct and there are field induced changes in the local magnetic ordering. In order to address the relationship between H{sub c2} and local moment order, anisotropic magnetic and transport measurements on single crystals of ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C will be presented. In particular, detailed H-T phase diagrams for different orientations of the applied field, as well as possible evidence of a superzone gap formation at the antiferromagnetic phase transition and its effect on anisotropic upper critical field, will be discussed. The anomaly in H{sub c2} as well as sharp features in the normal-state resistivity can be tuned by changing the orientation of the applied field. This is consistent with tuning in and out of the 0.55a* magnetically ordered, superzone gapped phase. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Cellular acid phosphatase activity: Correlation of cytochemical and biochemical measurements

Methods for comparing results of cellular acid phosphatase activities obtained by quantitative cytospectrophotometry with those obtained by biochemical analysis are needed to express the cytospectrophotometric data in biochemical units. Since naturally occurring cells have differing amounts of acid phosphatase, enzyme activity was measured cytochemically and biochemically in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and peritoneal and alveolar macrophages from male rats to determine if these measurements permitted construction of a line correlating the two parameters. Cellular acid phosphatase activity, as measured cytospectrophotometrically and biochemically, increased proportionately with polymorphonuclear leukocytes having the lowest activities and alveolar macrophages the highest. These values when subjected to linear regression analysis fixed a line with a correlation coefficient of 0.95 demonstrating that cytochemical and biochemical activities of acid phosphatase activity can be correlated using naturally occurring cells.
Exceptional control of carbon-supported transition metal nanoparticles using metal-organic frameworks

This report describes a versatile method to prepare metal nanoparticles supported on nanoporous carbon (M/NC3) via carbonization and carbothermal reduction (CCR) of metal-coordinated IRMOF-3 materials by post-synthetic modification (PSM) with metal precursors (i.e., Ru, W, V, and Ti). Use of IRMOF materials as templates/carbon sources led to desirable pore characteristics in the resulting materials, including high surface area (SNLDFT, 900–2000 m2 g−1) coupled with an increased mesoporosity (Vmeso/Vpore, 0.72–0.86). Formation of carbide phase metals (V8C7 and TiCxOy) was attained at 1000 °C, which is 200–300 °C lower than preparation of these carbide phases via conventional impregnation methods. Smaller sized metal nanoparticles were successfully obtained in the M/NC3 materials compared to materials prepared with un-coordinated metal impregnated IRMOF-1 (M/NC1), primarily due to the ability of IRMOF-3 to coordinate with metal precursors via PSM, leading to site isolation and minimization of aggregation of metal nanoparticles during CCR. Moreover, this coordination provided several additional benefits such as formation of ruthenium nanoparticles without encapsulation by carbon shells and formation of a WC1−x phase with enhanced thermal stability. Furthermore, all M/NC3 materials were shown to be highly active catalysts for liquid phase conversion of model compounds and derivatives of lignocellulosic biomass.
Natural and experimental arboviral infections in a population of blacktail jackrabbits along the sacramento river in butte county, california (1971-1974).

A serologic survey of the blacktail jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) for infections with 10 arboviruses was conducted from 1971 through 1974 along the Sacramento River in Butte County, California. Of 325 animals captured and bled a total of 493 times, 40% were found positive for hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody to California encephalitis (CE) virus, 34% to western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus, 20% to Buttonwillow virus, 15% to St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus and 12% to Main Drain virus. Only 5 and 2% of the animals had HI antibodies to Lokern and Turlock (TUR) viruses, respectively. There was no serologic evidence for infection of animals with Powassan, Modoc and Rio Bravo viruses. Differenles in monthly and yearly activities of some viruses were found by analyses of lata on antibody prevalence rates and immunologic conversions in recaptured animals. Experimental studies revealed that subadult jackrabbits were highly susceptible by subcutaneous inoculation to infection with CE, WEE and ...
Temperature-sensitive mutants of influenza virus: A mutation in the hemagglutinin gene

Abstract A mutant (ts-61S) belonging to a single recombination-complementation group (Group VI) was obtained by segregation of an influenza virus WSN (HON1) temperature-sensitive double mutant (ts-61) that possessed mutational lesions characteristic of Groups V and VI. The segregant retained the thermolabile hemagglutinating activity of the parental mutant, ts-61, but lost the defectiveness in virion RNA synthesis manifested by the parent at the nonpermissive temperature. No hemagglutinating activity developed in cells infected with ts-61S at the nonpermissive temperature. In rescue experiments all HO-serotype progeny from the cross between ts-61S (HO-serotype) and temperature-resistant H3-serotype virus were temperature-sensitive, localizing the ts defect in the hemagglutinin gene. No glycosylated hemagglutinin polypeptide was detected in the polyacrylamide gel electropherogram of cells infected with ts-61S at the nonpermissive temperature, whereas the synthesis of neuraminidase (the other virion glycoprotein) proceeded normally at both permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. The results indicate that the Group VI mutation is in the gene coding for the viral hemagglutinin.
Heuristics for capacity planning problems with congestion

Motivated by a problem in the semiconductor industry, we develop improved formulations for the problem of planning capacity acquisition and deletion over time when resources are subject to congestion, motivated by a problem in the semiconductor industry. We use nonlinear clearing functions to relate the expected output of a production resource in a planning period to the expected work in process (WIP) inventory level. Exploiting the properties of the clearing function allows us to formulate the single workcenter problem as a shortest path problem. This forms the basis for two greedy constructive heuristics and a Lagrangian heuristic for the multistage problem. The latter procedure also provides lower bounds on the optimal value. We present computational experiments showing that the proposed heuristics obtain high-quality solutions in modest CPU times.
The dynamics of pressure and form drag on a sloping headland: Internal waves versus eddies

Topographically generated eddies and internal waves have traditionally been studied separately even though bathymetry that creates both phenomena is abundant in coastal regions. Here a numerical model is used to understand the dynamics of eddy and wave generation as tidal currents flow past Three Tree Point, a 1 km long, 200 m deep, sloping headland in Puget Sound, WA. Bottom pressure anomalies due to vertical perturbations of the sea surface and isopycnals are used to calculate form drag in different regions of the topography to assess the relative importance of eddies versus internal waves. In regions where internal waves dominate, sea surface and isopycnal perturbations tend to work together to create drag, whereas in regions dominated by eddies, sea surface, and isopycnal perturbations tend to counteract each other. Both phenomena are found to produce similar amounts of form drag even though the bottom pressure anomalies from the eddy have much larger magnitudes than those created by the internal waves. Topography like Three Tree Point is common in high latitude, coastal regions, and therefore the findings here have implications for understanding how coastal topography removes energy from tidal currents.
Robustness studies for multivariable feedback systems using refined eigenvalue inclusion regions (REIR)

Abstract The robust stability problem is studied for multivariable feedback systems. The method is based on the use of eigenvalue inclusion regions and a hybrid approach is presented utilizing both the singular value decomposition and the numerical range concepts. The robust stability tests provide more realistic results since the process uncertainty descriptions make use of both the magnitude and the phase information in an attempt to obtain less conservative estimates of process uncertainty. Examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in evaluating the stability margins for multivariable systems and tuning controllers for robust closed-loop operation.
Validation of two dilution models to predict chloramine-T concentrations in aquaculture facility effluent

Abstract Accurate estimates of drug concentrations in hatchery effluent are critical to assess the environmental risk of hatchery drug discharge resulting from disease treatment. This study validated two simple dilution models to estimate chloramine-T environmental introduction concentrations by comparing measured and predicted chloramine-T concentrations using the US Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center aquaculture facility effluent as an example. The hydraulic characteristics of our treated raceway and effluent and the accuracy of our water flow rate measurements were confirmed with the marker dye rhodamine WT. We also used the rhodamine WT data to develop dilution models that would (1) estimate the chloramine-T concentration at a given time and location in the effluent system and (2) estimate the average chloramine-T concentration at a given location over the entire discharge period. To test our models, we predicted the chloramine-T concentration at two sample points based on effluent flow and the maintenance of chloramine-T at 20 mg/l for 60 min in the same raceway used with rhodamine WT. The effluent sample points selected (sample points A and B) represented 47 and 100% of the total effluent flow, respectively. Sample point B is analogous to the discharge of a hatchery that does not have a detention lagoon, i.e. the sample site was downstream of the last dilution water addition following treatment. We then applied four chloramine-T flow-through treatments at 20 mg/l for 60 min and measured the chloramine-T concentration in water samples collected every 15 min for about 180 min from the treated raceway and sample points A and B during and after application. The predicted chloramine-T concentration at each sampling interval was similar to the measured chloramine-T concentration at sample points A and B and was generally bounded by the measured 90% confidence intervals. The predicted average chloramine-T concentrations at sample points A or B (2.8 and 1.3 mg/l, respectively) were not significantly different ( P >0.05) from the average measured chloramine-T concentrations (2.7 and 1.3 mg/l, respectively). The close agreement between our predicted and measured chloramine-T concentrations indicate either of the dilution models could be used to adequately predict the chloramine-T environmental introduction concentration in Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center effluent.
Biology of human colon cancer metastasis.

The process of metastasis is highly selective and favors the survival and growth of a few subpopulations of cells that preexist within a heterogecous primary neoplasm. To produce metastases, tumor cells must succeed in invasion, embolization, survival in the circulation, arrest in a distant capillary bed, and extravasation into and multiplication in organ parenchyma. The outcome of this process depends on the interaction of metastatic cells with multiple host factors. To assess metastatic potential accurately, it is necessary to orthotopically implant human tumor cells recovered from surgical specimens into nude mice. This orthotopic implantation of tumor cells is invariably associated with trauma to the specific organ of implantation, which is followed by the processes of inflammation and repair. Tissue-specific growth factors may be responsible for stimulation of tumor cells that possess specific surface receptors. Understanding the factors that regulate cancer metastasis should allow for the design of rational therapy.
Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Effects on Child IQ and Learning Problems at Age 7 1/2 Years

This longitudinal, prospective, population-based study examined the long-term effects of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on 482 school aged children. Maternal reports of alcohol use obtained during pregnancy were significantly related to child IQ, achievement test scores, and classroom behaviors in second grade children, even after statistical adjustment for appropriate covariates. Consumption of two drinks per day or more on the average was related to a 7-point decrement in IQ in 7-year-old children even after statistically adjusting for appropriate covariates. Low paternal education and more children in the household were identified as environmental factors exacerbating the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on child IQ. Learning problems were associated with the alcohol "BINGE" pattern of five or more drinks on at least one occasion. This study shows that alcohol use patterns within the social drinking range can have long lasting effects on IQ and learning problems in young school aged children. These patterns should not be interpreted as biologic thresholds. It should also be noted that these are group effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, not necessarily predictable in the individual child, and that for the most part these children were functioning within the normal range of intelligence.
A New Multiscale Measure of Adult Substance Abuse

Several assessment measures exist in the adult substance abuse field, but the majority of them are either screening tools or are limited to alcohol use. Current trends in drug abuse patterns and the service care industry suggest the need for sophisticated and comprehensive instrumentation. This paper focuses on the design and psychometric properties of a 270-item, multiscale, self-report inventory for measuring a wide range of problems associated with adult substance abuse. The Personal Experience Inventory for Adults consists of problem severity and psychosocial risk scales, validity indicators, and problem screens. Basic reliability and validity data will be summarized.
Race in modern Irish literature and culture

John Brannigan, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 2009, 256 pp., £65.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0748638833 There is no such thing as an Irish face, but I know one when I see one. (Pete Hamill)...
HIV Sexual Risk Behavior and Health Insurance Coverage in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Research on the association between health insurance coverage and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) is sparse. We hypothesized that MSM with health insurance would be less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior based on previous research showing that insured persons increase contact with providers which can improve health knowledge, decrease tendency to engage in unhealthy behaviors, and raise awareness about health risks. As part of a study testing an online HIV prevention intervention, we collected information on health insurance and sexual behavior from MSM (n = 650). Overall, men with health insurance had a 28 % reduced prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse male partners in the 90 days prior to the survey. Potential explanations include access to health care providers and awareness of sexual health. Additional research is needed to identify the mechanism through which health insurance is protective.
A Scalable Interconnection Network Architecture for Petaflops Computing

Extrapolating technology advances in the near future, a computer architecture capable of petaflops performance will likely be based on a collection of processing nodes interconnected by a high-performance network. One possible organization would consist of thousands of inexpensive, low-power symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) nodes. Each node will inject data into the interconnection network at a very large rate and consequently, the interconnect scheme is one of the most crucial design issues affecting system performance. This paper describes the 2D simultaneous optical multiprocessor exchange bus (2D SOME-Bus) which has the potential to become the basis of a high-end computer architecture capable of petaflops performance. It consists of N horizontal, N vertical 1D SOME-Bus networks, and N2 nodes. Each node is connected to one horizontal and one vertical 1D SOME-Bus. Each of N nodes connected to one 1D SOME-Bus has a dedicated broadcast channel and an input channel interface based on an array of N receivers monitoring all N channels and allowing multiple simultaneous broadcasts. In the 2D SOME-Bus, messages being broadcast on one Bus can be broadcast in a cut-through manner on one or more Buses in the other dimension. This paper describes the optoelectronic devices and technology which make the 2D SOME-Bus possible, and the network interface organization. It also presents simulation results which compare the performance of the 2D SOME-Bus, the 1D SOME-Bus, the crossbar and the torus under the message-passing paradigm.
Global optimization of a simple mathematical model for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract The high cost of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is a major roadblock in bringing fuel cell technology to the general public. This paper presents a simple mathematical model that can be used for fuel cell optimization. The fuel cell’s design parameters are chosen so as to globally minimize its total annualized cost for a given power production level. In the process, the fuel cell’s feasible operating range is identified and the uniqueness of the global optimum is ascertained. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify qualitative trends of the optimal fuel cell design.
Circuit Design Advances for Wireless Sensing Applications

Miniature wireless sensors with long lifetimes enable new applications for medical diagnosis, infrastructure monitoring, military surveillance, and environmental sensing among many other applications in a growing field. Sensor miniaturization leads to decreased on-sensor energy capacity, and lifetime requirements further constrain the sensor's power budget. To enable millimeter-scale wireless sensors with lifetimes of months to years, a new class of low-power circuit techniques is required. Wireless sensors collect and digitize environmental data before processing and transmitting the data wirelessly to base stations or other sensor nodes. Recent low-power advances for each of these functions shed light on how ubiquitous sensing can become a reality.
An improved approximation to constrained Hartree-Fock calculations☆

Abstract A previously proposed microscopical method to calculate deformation energies of heavy nuclei, using Skyrme type effective interactions, is reinvestigated. It is shown that if the effective mass is included in the phenomenological one body Hamiltonian, whose eigenfunctions are used to calculate the expectation value of the total Skyrme Hamiltonian, one can obtain deformation energies very close to the ones obtained in constrained Hartree-Fock calculations.
Reproductive Performance of Seabirds: The Importance of Population and Colony Size

We compared reproductive performance of five species of seabirds at two colonies, St. George Island (2.5 million birds) and St. Paul Island (250,000 birds), in the southeastern Bering Sea. All species had lower chick growth rates at the larger colony, and the differences were statistically significant in four species. Fledge weights of Common Murres (Uria aalge) on St. George Island were 84-88% of those on St. Paul. Average fledge weights of Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) on St. George were only 74% of those for chicks from St. Paul. We found no significant differences in clutch size or breeding success between populations breeding at the two colonies. For three species, Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), Common Murres, and Thick-billed Murres, we extended our analysis to include published data from other colonies. We examined breeding performance as a function of colony size, population size (suggestive of intraspecific competition), and "effective colony size," the sum of the populations of species with considerable dietary overlap (suggestive of interspecific competition for food). We found consistently negative relationships between population size and several measures of breeding performance (clutch size, growth rate, fledge weight, and breeding success). In addition to the lower breeding success at colonies that support large populations, chicks from these colonies may be subject to higher postfledg- ing mortality because of fledging at lower weights. Received 7 January 1985, accepted 18 October 1985.
Role of Snail Activation in Alcohol-induced iNOS-mediated Disruption of Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

Background Chronic alcohol use results in many pathological effects including alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD pathogenesis requires endotoxemia. Our previous studies showed that increased intestinal permeability is the major cause of endotoxemia and that this gut leakiness is dependent on alcohol stimulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in both alcoholic subjects and rodent models of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). The mechanism of the alcohol-induced, iNOS-mediated disruption of the intestinal barrier function is not known. We have recently shown that alcohol stimulates activation of the transcription factor Snail and biomarkers of epithelial mesenchymal transition. Since activated Snail disrupts tight junctional proteins , we hypothesized that activation of Snail by iNOS might be one of the key signaling pathways mediating alcohol stimulated intestinal epithelial cell hyperpermeability.
Desert and Wages

Women tend to earn less than their male colleagues. Furthermore, women tend to earn less than men who hold jobs that are nominally different but relevantly similar to their own. Advocates of ‘comparable worth’ protest these facts. Their protest sometimes takes this form: Those differences in pay between men and women are undeserved. The argument for this claim is simple. Some facts are relevant to the wage one deserves for performing a given job; some are not. In the vast majority of cases, the argument continues, gender is not relevant to the wage one deserves; relevant are, say, the skill, responsibility, and working conditions required by the job. When jobs are comparable with respect to these facts, those who work in them deserve equal pay. Therefore, women and men who work the very same jobs deserve equal pay; likewise for women and men whose jobs are nominally different but relevantly similar.
Visible light plasmonic heating of Au–ZnO for the catalytic reduction of CO2

Plasmonic excitation of Au nanoparticles attached to the surface of ZnO catalysts using low power 532 nm laser illumination leads to significant heating of the catalyst and the conversion of CO2 and H2 reactants to CH4 and CO products. Temperature-calibrated Raman spectra of ZnO phonons show that intensity-dependent plasmonic excitation can controllably heat Au–ZnO from 30 to ∼600 °C and simultaneously tune the CH4 : CO product ratio. The laser induced heating and resulting CH4 : CO product distribution agrees well with predictions from thermodynamic models and temperature-programmed reaction experiments indicating that the reaction is a thermally driven process resulting from the plasmonic heating of the Au–ZnO. The apparent quantum yield for CO2 conversion under continuous wave (cw) 532 nm laser illumination is 0.030%. The Au–ZnO catalysts are robust and remain active after repeated laser exposure and cycling. The light intensity required to initiate CO2 reduction is low (∼2.5 × 105 W m−2) and achievable with solar concentrators. Our results illustrate the viability of plasmonic heating approaches for CO2 utilization and other practical thermal catalytic applications.
Regulation of transition metal transport across the yeast plasma membrane.

Transition metals are essential for the function of many proteins, either by facilitating redox reactions or by stabilizing protein structure. To satisfy requirements for these metals, cells have numerous mechanisms for the solubilization and uptake of metals from the extracellular environment. Cells must, however, simultaneously protect themselves from the hazards inherent in the versatility of these metals, as the facile redox reactions can produce toxic free radicals if cytosolic metal concentrations are not carefully regulated. Numerous human disorders of metal homeostasis have been identified. Excess iron uptake has been implicated in the pathologies of hereditary hemochromatosis, Parkinson’s disease, and the neurological disease Friedreich ataxia. Menkes’ syndrome and Wilson’s disease result from aberrant copper homeostasis. Excess manganese supplements have been implicated in pediatric neurological disorders. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven a powerful model for investigation of the metal uptake machinery. Extensive investigations using this single cell organism have demonstrated parallels between the mechanisms by which this simple eucaryote obtains different transition metals from the extracellular environment. Metal transport systems have been found to consist of both low and high affinity transporters (Fig. 1). High affinity transporters are selective for their target metals and are tightly regulated according to metal need. Low affinity transporters are less responsive to metal need and are somewhat less selective for metals transported. This system of dual uptake allows the maintenance of metal homeostasis in conditions of either metal limitation or excess. Iron Iron is the most versatile transition metal in biological redox reactions. Variation in the environment of the iron-binding site can effect a 1000-mV difference in redox potential (1), and iron is a component of numerous cellular redox reactions. The high affinity of iron for oxygen has also made iron the active site in heme, which is commonly involved in oxygen binding and oxygen-based enzymatic reactions. The same properties of facile electron transport, however, make iron potentially toxic, as free iron generates toxic superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals in the presence of oxygen. Cells face the conundrum of accumulating an essential but relatively toxic metal by tightly regulating the concentration of free cytosolic iron. Higher eucaryotes regulate cytosolic free iron by controlling both the amount of iron uptake mediated by the transferrin receptor and the amount of iron storage in ferritin. These processes are
Nano-Second Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Direct Medical Applications

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) is being adapted to medical applications, including those requiring sterilization of surfaces of living tissue. This paper is focused on operation of such systems near living tissue and on a novel discharge where tissue acts as one of the electrodes.
Hans Morgenthau and the World State

Hans Morgenthau's political realism has led him to the conclusion that there can be no permanent peace without a world state. But, he says, there can be no world government until there is world community, and a sense of world community cannot form unless national decision-makers resolve or ameliorate world tensions through a return to a wise diplomacy.
Hepatotoxicity Associated with Cisplatin Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of possible cisplatin-associated hepatotoxicity.CASE SUMMARY:A 69-year-old man received three cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2/d for five days) for management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Liver enzyme concentrations were within normal limits prior to each cycle of therapy but the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations increased on the second day of each cycle. The concentrations began to decline on day 3 of each course, despite continued fluorouracil administration, and returned to normal by day 10. The patient's antiemetic therapy included metoclopramide in cycle 1 and ondansetron in cycles 2 and 3, which may have contributed to the enzyme elevations.DISCUSSION:Case reports of cisplatin-associated hepatotoxicity are reviewed. An association between cisplatin administration and hepatotoxicity is proposed in this patient.CONCLUSIONS:This patient may have e...
Massage Therapy Improves Behavior in Neonates Born to HIV-Positive Mothers

Assigned randomly 28 neonates born to HIV-positive mothers to a massage therapy or control group. The treatment infants were given three 15-minute massages daily for 10 days. The massaged group showed superior performance on almost every Brazelton newborn cluster score and had a greater daily weight gain at the end of the treatment period unlike the control group who showed declining performance.
Combination of two methods for isolated word speech recognition

The authors present a method for isolated word speech recognition combining hidden Markov models (HMM) and multisection vector quantization (MSVQ) code books techniques. The use of these two techniques together enables the system to correct half of the wrong decisions made when only one technique is used. This system was implemented on a digital signal microprocessor (DSP), and is operating in real time. This system will be used in a virtual reality environment. >
A review of distributed power systems part I: DC distributed power system

The present development state in DC distributed power systems (DPS) is comprehensively reviewed in this tutorial. Basic distributed structures and their characteristics are described. The system level design considerations are discussed. The profile of current technologies is drawn. Finally, the issues and challenges in this research area are identified. These issues include not only improving efficiency, but also increased concerns regarding the cost and complexity of power supplying systems.
Public Support for Environmental Protection: Objective Problems and Subjective Values in 43 Societies

Policies designed to solve environmental problems are unlikely to succeed unless they have broad public support, but the motives for mass support are poorly understood. The problem is global in scope, but most of the relevant public opinion research done so far has been carried out in advanced industrial societies, usually Western democracies. Moreover, much of this research is limited to the tip of the iceberg, focusing on what people think about environmental problems without probing into why they think it or how deeply they are committed.The analysis of mass attitudes toward environmental problems in this article uses evidence from representative national surveys of countries representing the entire developmental spectrum, from rich to poor nations, including not only Western democracies but authoritarian regimes and recently emerging democracies from the former communist bloc. The data come from the 1990–93 World Values survey, carried out in 43 countries containing 70% of the world's population. Our goal is to determine why given publics are—or are not—sufficiently concerned about environmental problems that they are willing to make financial sacrifices and undertake other actions in order to help protect the environment.
Genetic Analysis of the Nitrogen Assimilation Control Protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae

The nitrogen assimilation control protein (NAC) from Klebsiella pneumoniae is a typical LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR) in many ways. However, the lack of a physiologically relevant coeffector for NAC and the fact that NAC can carry out many of its functions as a dimer make NAC unusual among the LTTRs. In the absence of a crystal structure for NAC, we analyzed the effects of amino acid substitutions with a variety of phenotypes in an attempt to identify functionally important features of NAC. A substitution that changed the glutamine at amino acid 29 to alanine (Q29A) resulted in a NAC that was seriously defective in binding to DNA. The H26D substitution resulted in a NAC that could bind and repress transcription but not activate transcription. The I71A substitution resulted in a NAC polypeptide that remained monomeric. NAC tetramers can bind to both long and shorter binding sites (like other LTTRs). However, the absence of a coeffector to induce the conformational change needed for the switch from the former to the latter raised a question. Are there two conformations of NAC, analogous to the other LTTRs? The G217R substitution resulted in a NAC that could bind to the longer sites but had difficulty in binding to the shorter sites, and the I222R and A230R substitutions resulted in a NAC that could bind to the shorter sites but had difficulty in binding properly to the longer sites. Thus, there appear to be two conformations of NAC that can freely interconvert in the absence of a coeffector.