cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anticarcinogen 3,3′-diindolylmethane is an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450

Dietary indole-3-carbinol inhibits carcinogenesis in rodents and trout. Several mechanisms of inhibition may exist. We reported previously that 3,3′-diindolylmethane, an in vivo derivative of indole-3-carbinol, is a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of trout cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase with Ki values in the low micromolar range. We now report a similar potent inhibition by 3,3′-diindolylmethane of rat and human CYP1A1, human CYP1A2, and rat CYP2B1 using various CYP-specific or preferential activity assays. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane also inhibited in vitro CYP-mediated metabolism of the ubiquitous food contaminant and potent hepatocarcinogen, aflatoxin B1. There was no inhibition of cytochrome c reductase. In addition, we found 3,3′-diindolylmethane to be a substrate for rat hepatic microsomal monooxygenase(s) and tentatively identified a monohydroxylated metabolite. These observations indicate that 3,3′-diindolylmethane can inhibit the catalytic activities of a range of CYP isoforms from lower and higher vertebrates in vitro. This broadly based inhibition of CYP-mediated activation of procarcinogens may be an indole-3-carbinol anticarcinogenic mechanism applicable to all species, including humans. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Origin of Slaty Cleavage in the Coeur d'Alene District, Idaho

Deformational features in argillaceous rocks of the Belt Supergroup in the Coeur d9Alene district indicate that the slaty cleavage was produced by mechanical reorientation of original clays during an early period of folding. Furthermore, this regional folding event probably occurred soon after the deposition and burial of the younger units in the district. Regional folds and slaty cleavage are closely related geometrically. The cleavage is parallel to the axial planes of the folds in their hinges, but fans divergently along their limbs; that is, cleavage dips in the same direction as the bedding, but more steeply. Motion within the argillites during folding produced dimensional preferred orientations of detrital quartz and muscovite. Low-grade metamorphism produced crystallographic preferred orientations in quartz in the Prichard Formation but not in the shallower Wallace rocks. Metamorphism was synchronous or later than folding. In the Wallace Formation, injection structures of argillite intruded the sandy layers at the time of folding. The slaty cleavage was enhanced locally near the injection structures where the greatest amount of motion in the argillite occurred. Molar-tooth structures were folded both by compaction during burial and by shortening perpendicular to cleavage during folding. Mechanical reorientation of platy minerals is suggested by the following evidence: the strongest cleavages were formed in zones of greatest movement of argillite; a dimensional preferred orientation was produced mechanically in other detrital grains; the degree of recrystallization in the argillites was quite low; and there was no correlation between quality of cleavage and degree of recrystallization. The deformational environment is more difficult to deduce. The possibility that the environment was more diagenetic than metamorphic is suggested by the probable soft-sediment origin for the argillite injection structures, the lack of extensional deformation features in molar-tooth structures oriented parallel to the cleavage, and the presence of the bulk of small tight folds in the Wallace Formation rather than in deeper stratigraphic units.
On the mechanism of growth and the hydrogen reduction of CVD Black Molybdenum thin films

Abstract On the basis of thermodynamical and diffusion analysis, a mechanism is suggested for the growth and the hydrogen reduction of thin films that display the spectral selectivity required for efficient photo-thermal converters. Such Black Molybdenum films consist of a suspension of metallic molybdenum grains in a host matrix of MoO 2 . A film of the cermet-like material has a solar absorptance and thermal emittance that depends on its microstructure and fractional composition with respect to the two components, Mo and MoO 2 . Depending on the choice of the deposition parameters, the composition can be changed and the solar performance adjusted accordingly. The films have been deposited by two different chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. In the first method, deposition proceeds by the pyrolytic decomposition of molybdenum hexacarbonyl in the presence of oxygen. Annealing of the resulting monoclinic MoO 2 film in a hydrogen-bearing atmosphere partially reduces the oxide to metallic Mo, the degree of reduction depending on the temperature and length of the anneal. In a second method, the Black Molybdenum cermet is grown by the hydrogen reduction of molybdenum dioxydichloride. In this anneal-free, one-step process, the substrate temperature and hydrogen concentration determine the resultant structure and fractional composition.
Multidimensional Damage Identification Based on Phase Space Warping: An Experimental Study

A multidimensional damage identification scheme developed in previous work is modified and investigated experimentally. An experimental apparatus consists of a driven two-well magneto-elastic oscillator, where a cantilever beam vibrates in a magnetic potential field perturbed by two electromagnets. These electromagnets are activated by a computer controlled power supply and their terminal voltages are considered a two-dimensional damage variable. The effect of total change in the supply voltage of the electromagnets is approximately 4% shift in the experimentally measured natural frequencies of small oscillations in each well of the potential. Experimental runs are started in a nominally chaotic regime. The battery voltages are altered on specific trajectories in the damage (voltage) phase space. Damage identification is accomplished based on the elastic vibration data collected using laser vibrometers and a accelerometer. The phase space warping based damage tracking feature vectors are estimated using a new phase space partitioning scheme. The damage identification is achieved by applying smooth orthogonal decomposition to the obtained statistics. The effect of the data record size on the quality of reconstructed damage trajectory is investigated in a series of experiments. It is also demonstrated that the new partitioning scheme considerably improves signal-to-noise ration of the identified damage states.
Homeowner attitudes toward tourism in a mountain resort community.

Numerous studies have been conducted on local resident attitudes regarding tourism development and its impact, but there is limited research that compares the attitudes of both local full-time residents and second home property owners. This study investigated factors that influence the extent of each group of property owners’ support for future tourism development in an amenity-rich mountain county in North Carolina. A total of 609 respondents (354 full-time residents and 264 second home owners) expressed their level of support for tourism development and provided their perceptions of tourism impacts. Personal benefits from tourism and tourism's positive impacts influenced both full-time residents’ and second home property owners’ support for future tourism. Tourism's negative impacts also influenced second home property owners’ support for tourism. This study was conducted within the context of (1) promoting sustainable tourism planning which emphasizes analyzing and balancing the varied identities and p...
Glucose oxidation in skeletal muscle from the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Abstract The metabolic activity of the cremaster muscle, as measured by glucose oxidation, was lower (16.7%) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) than in the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). This alteration in metabolic activity was accompanied by a reduction of the respiratory rate (12.5%) in the SHR rats when compared to WKY animals. The decreased respiratory rate and the lowered metabolic activity of the cremaster muscle occured at a time when blood pressure is increasing in SHR animals.
Morbidities of lung cancer surgery in obese patients

Background Obesity is a risk factor for increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. There have been limited studies to correlate the morbidity of lung cancer resection with obesity. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical resection for lung cancer at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, from 2006 to 2010. Data on patient demographics, weight, pathological findings, and hospital course were abstracted after appropriate institutional review board approval. Perioperative morbidity was defined as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, or any medical complications arising within 30 days after surgery. The Fisher exact test was used to test the association between body mass index (BMI) and perioperative morbidities. Results Between 2006 and 2010, 320 lung resections were performed for lung cancer. The median age was 67 (interquartile range, 59-75) years, and 185 (57.8%) were females. A total of 121 (37.8%) of patients had a BMI lower than 25, and 199 (62.18%) patients had a BMI of 25 or higher. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8% (n = 6) in the whole group; only 2 of these patients had a BMI of 25 or higher. Perioperative morbidity occurred in 28 (23.14%) of patients with a normal BMI and in 47 (23.61%) of patients with a BMI of 25 or higher ( P = .54). Specific morbidities encountered by patients with normal versus BMI of 25 or higher were as follows: atrial fibrillation, 11 (9.09%) versus 24 (12.06%) ( P = .46); pulmonary embolism, 1 (0.83%) versus 3 (1.51%) ( P = 1.0); congestive heart failure, 2 (1.65%) versus 2 (1.01%) ( P = .63); renal failure, 4 (3.3%) versus 2 (1.0%) ( P = .29); respiratory failure, 12 (9.92%) versus 17 (8.54%) ( P = .69); and acute respiratory distress syndrome, 2 (1.65%) versus 1 (0.50%) ( P = .55). The median hospital stay was 5 days in the lower BMI group and 4 days in the BMI of 25 or higher group ( P = .52). Conclusions Overweight and normal weight patients do not differ significantly in rates of perioperative morbidities, 30-day mortality, and length of stay. Our study indicates that potential curative surgical resections can be offered to even significantly overweight patients.
Induction of right ventricular hypertrophy with obstructing balloon catheter. Nonsurgical ventricular preparation for the arterial switch operation in simple transposition.

BACKGROUND Recently, a successful result with a rapid two-stage arterial switch operation (ASO) was reported for patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with low left ventricular pressure. In this procedure, the interval between pulmonary arterial banding and ASO was approximately 1 week. This successful result indicates the possibility of a nonsurgical ventricular preparation procedure using an obstructing balloon catheter prior to ASO. METHODS AND RESULTS A 5F atrioseptostomy catheter was inserted directly into the main pulmonary artery in six lambs aged 20 to 38 days. After the chest was closed, the balloon was inflated twice a day for a period of 2 to 2.5 hours. This procedure was performed for 4 consecutive days. After the final inflation, the ratio of right ventricular weight to total ventricular weight was compared with that in an age-matched control group. After the final inflation, the peak systolic right ventricular pressure and the percentage of peak systolic right ventricular to peak systolic aortic pressure rose to 85.6 +/- 4.7 mm Hg (mean +/- 1 SD) and 79.6 +/- 8.6%, respectively. The percentages of the right ventricular weight to the total ventricular weight were significantly higher after the balloon inflation than those in the control group in terms of wet heart weight (29.5 +/- 1.2% versus 23.0 +/- 1.0%; P CONCLUSIONS The myocardial mass in the right ventricle increased after 4 days of intermittently applied pressure overload. Nonsurgical preparation of the ventricle for ASO in TGA is feasible.
Biomarker-based predictive models for prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Importance Although median survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is 2 to 4 years, survival ranges from months to decades, creating prognostic uncertainty. Strategies to predict prognosis would benefit clinical management and outcomes assessments of clinical trials. Objective To identify biomarkers in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with ALS that can predict prognosis. Design, Participants, and Setting We conducted a retrospective study of plasma (n = 29) and CSF (n = 33) biomarkers identified in samples collected between March 16, 2005, and August 22, 2007, from patients with ALS at an academic tertiary care center. Participants included patients who were undergoing diagnostic evaluation in the neurology outpatient clinic and were eventually identified as having definite, probable, laboratory-supported probable, or possible ALS as defined by revised El-Escorial criteria. All were white and none had a family history of ALS. Clinical information extended from initial presentation to death. Genotyping for hemochromatosis ( HFE ) gene status was performed. Multiplex and immunoassay analysis of plasma and CSF was used to measure levels of 35 biomarkers. Statistical modeling was used to identify biomarker panels that could predict total disease duration. Main Outcomes and Measures Total disease duration, defined as the time from symptom onset to death, was the main outcome. The hypothesis being tested was formulated after data collection. Results Multivariable models for total disease duration using biomarkers from plasma, CSF, and plasma and CSF combined incorporated 7, 6, and 6 biomarkers to achieve goodness-of-fit R 2 values of 0.769, 0.617, and 0.962, respectively. After classification into prognostic categories, actual and predicted values achieved moderate to good agreement, with Cohen κ values of 0.526, 0.515, and 0.930 for plasma, CSF, and plasma and CSF combined models, respectively. Inflammatory biomarkers, including select interleukins, growth factors such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, andl-ferritin, had predictive value. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides proof-of-concept for a novel multivariable modeling strategy to predict ALS prognosis. These results support unbiased biomarker discovery efforts in larger patient cohorts with detailed longitudinal follow-up.
The slow-binding inhibition of cathepsin K by its propeptide.

Abstract A peptide corresponding to the full-length proregion (amino acids 16–114) of human cathepsin K was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. This recombinant propeptide was investigated for its ability to inhibit the activity of three cysteine proteinases: cathepsins K, L, and B. Kinetic studies showed the propeptide to be a potent slow-binding inhibitor of its parent enzyme with a Ki = 2.61 nM at pH 6. This inhibition was pH-dependent, with a decrease in pH from 6 to 4 leading to a concomitant increase in Ki to 147 nM. The propeptide also inhibited cathepsin L with a Ki = 26.1 nM at pH 6, but showed little inhibition of cathepsin B at concentrations up to 400 nM.
The HI luminosity function from 'blind' surveys

Recent neutral hydrogen (HI) surveys are detecting enough sources to make initial predictions of the extragalactic HI luminosity function. These surveys provide useful pointers for the Parkes Multi-Beam Survey, highlighting various advantages and disadvantages of different observing and analysis procedures. The newest surveys are also large enough to permit some statistical tests of their completeness. The detection rates clearly fall short of what would be expected based on a simple propagation of errors, suggesting the need for further development of detection software. I suggest several procedures for determining the effective sensitivity of HI surveys. Applied to two recent Arecibo surveys, these suggest that the HI luminosity function may be much steeper than its optical counterpart, and that the Parkes surveys may detect a large number of low-mass sources.
Single-mode operation of the external cavity DBR laser with sol–gel waveguide Bragg grating

Abstract A sol–gel-based external cavity DBR laser with narrow linewidth is described. The sol–gel waveguide grating is formed on the SiO 2 -coated silicon substrate with a loss of about 0.2 dB/cm. The threshold current is 32 mA at the lasing wavelength of about 1530 nm and T =20°C. The side-mode suppression is close to 30 dB at 43 mA. The laser linewidth is less than 500 kHz.
Direct contact condensation in the presence of noncondensables in OC-OTEC condensers

In this paper analyses are presented for the performance of direct contact jet and spray condensers in the presence of noncondensables. A solution procedure is developed which obtains analytically the liquid-side transient temperature profile, including the thermal entrance effect. The approach avoids iteration of the liquid-vapor interface, which usually is required to determine the interface temperature, by locally linearizing the energy and mass transfer relationship at the gas-liquid interface. Comparisons are carried out with some available data and correlations and show good agreement. The analyses are shown to provide a rational basis for correlating the experimental data. Unlike previous correlations, which are basically curve fits to the applicable data, the present analysis shows clearly the effects of noncondensables, flow, and geometric parameters on the condenser performance. Results are presented for conditions typical fo open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OC-OTEC).
Stability of the stimulus properties of drugs over time

Abstract Three separate groups of rats were trained to discriminate the stimulus effects of either 600 mg/kg ethanol (n=8) or 1.0 mg/kg) 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP; n=10). Once criterion performance was attained, each group was tested with various doses of the drug used in their training, thus allowing for calculations of dose-response curves and ED 50 values. A second dose-response relationship was established at a later time, averaging over a year later, and this result was compared to the initial curve. In none of the three groups was there a substantial change in the sensitivity of the rats to different doses of the drug used in training as indicated by similar ED 50 values. These results suggest that the drug discrimination procedure is stable over a period of continuous training and testing.
Fast Threat Detection and Localization using Super-Regenerative Transceiver in Random Noise Radar

The concept and technology of using a superregenerative (SRG) transceiver as a type of ultrafast electronics platform for threat detection and localization is introduced. In contrast to the traditional coherent correlation receiver (CCR), the received RF signal is retransmitted to the target and built up nonlinearly in the RF channels. The positive feedback loop associated with the presence of a target produces a target indication. The performance of SRG in the presence of clutter and interference is analyzed and compared with CCR-based systems. The clutter and interference are modeled as multi-loops with diversified loop gains and delays. Moreover, the SRG may be extended to multiple channels as part of an array system, which applies simple monopulse-type processing on transient target signatures to extract the angle-of-arrival (AOA) information of inbound threats. Simulations and detailed laboratory measurement results are presented for SRG transceiver and monopulse processing implementations.
A time sequence load-flow method for steady-state analysis in heavily meshed distribution network with DG

A time sequence load-flow method for steady-state analysis in large scale heavy meshed distribution system with Distributed Generations (DG) is proposed in this paper. Since DG is the intermittent type source, and distribution system has time delay based protection device, traditional single snapshot load-flow methods has limitations in the case with DG. Proposed time sequence load-flow method is based on iterative load-flow calculation and can estimate the timestamp of each time load-flow calculation result. The proposed load-flow calculation iteration starts when studied distribution system status changes, such as protection device operations, and stops when studied distribution system is in a steady-state. It also can used to determine a distribution system's final stage and when a system will be in its final steady-state. In simulations, a heavily meshed distribution network with DG and two different protection devices is modeled in the proposed method. Simulation results are compared with simulation in EMTP-RV. The results show that the proposed method can generate results very close to EMTP-RV while taking considerably less time.
Magnetic Spin Susceptibility of As F 5 -Intercalated Graphite: Determination of the Density of States at the Fermi Energy

The Schumacher-Slichter technique was utilized to determine the absolute Pauli spin susceptibility of stage-1 and stage-2 graphite-As${\mathrm{F}}_{5}$ intercalation compounds. The results lead to a determination of the densities of states at the Fermi energy, 2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{21}$ and 3.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{21}$ states/eV ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, respectively; substantially lower than in metals with comparable conductivity.
The description of elevated temperature deformation in terms of threshold stresses and back stresses: A review

Abstract Description of elevated temperature creep are often based on the idea that threshold stresses or back stresses which oppose deformation play a key role in the deformation process. In this review the use of these concepts to characterize fluid flow, diffusional creep, superplastic deformation, power law creep in relatively pure metals and dislocation creep in dispersion-strengthened materials is examined. Both the experimental data and the theoretical justifications for threshold stresses and back stresses are considered. The operational methods for determining these parameters are also described. It is noted that the enthusiasm with which these concepts are accepted and used is often not justified by the available experimental evidence. Particular attention is devoted to the terminology which is used to described these ideas, since it is undoubtedly a source of confusion in furthering the understanding of elevated temperature deformation mechanisms. In this discussion the term “threshold stress” is restricted to cases where the deformation is opposed by a fixed resistance which is independent of the imposed stress or strain rate. Back stresses are classified as arising from the prior deformation history or from the deformation process itself. Finally, it is suggested that a certain amount of care is needed in using a net or effective stress to correlate data, in that fundamental details of the deformation mechanism may be obscured by this procedure.
Managing the planning process: A field study of the human side of planning

This paper reports the findings of an empirical field study of human behaviour in the context of planning. The investigation centres on ‘behavioural problems’ encountered by managers of strategic planning systems. Two general issues are addressed. The first concerns the frequency of occurrence of these problems among managers and their impact on the effectiveness of the planning process. The second issue pertains to whether the constellation of behavioural problems managers confront varies in accordance with the role of the manager in the planning system. Implications of the findings for practitioners and researchers are discussed.
Spin assignments in 33S from the reaction 32S(d,p)33S

Abstract The gamma rays emitted in the decay of several of the low-lying states of 33S have been observed in coincidence with the proton groups populating these states in the reaction 32S(d,p) 33S. Angular correlations obtained between the protons, detected at 0° with respect to the incident beam, and the gamma rays were analysed by the method of Litherland and Ferguson to determine the spins and population parameters of the 1.965, 2.313, 2.937 and 3.224 MeV states of 33S, as well as the multipole mixing ratios and branching ratios of the gamma-ray transitions. The following results were obtained using a deuteron bombardment energy Ed = 2.541 MeV. The 3.224 MeV state has spin 3 2 and decays to the ground state and the first excited state. The 2.937 MeV state has spin 7 2 and decays with equal intensitiesto the ground state and the 1.965 MeV state. The 2.313 MeV state has a probable spin 3 2 and decays to the ground state and the first excited state. The 1.965 MeV state has spin 5 2 and decays only to the ground state. There is some evidence for the presence of a state at 1.35 MeV, which may be the 5 2 + state predicted at 1.38 MeV. It appears to decay by a two step transition with γ-ray energies of 0.51 and 0.84 MeV; this, together with the weakness of the proton group, causes the identification to remain tentative at present.
Effects of organic loading rate on reactor performance and archaeal community structure in mesophilic anaerobic digesters treating municipal sewage sludge

In this study, the organic loading rate (OLR) of a high-solids anaerobic digestion (HSAD) system was increased from 3.4 to 5.0 gVS L−1 day−1 and reactor stability, performance and microbial communi...
Ultrasonic attenuation of edible oils

The frequency dependence (1–60 MHz) of the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient of canola oil, corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil was measured at 25°C. The attenuation coefficient of all the oils could be described by the relation: α ∼ Afn(with A between 6 and 40 × 10−12, and n between 1.74 and 1.86).
Corporate Social Responsibility: Is It High Noon for a New Paradigm?

Running a business has become less private, more open, less managerial, more political, less a right, more a privilege dependent on the will of stakeholders. It has also become more external: people outside management who are affected by management's decisions increasingly have a voice in, if not a veto over, these decisions, and have access to the technology that enables them to have that voice heard globally. Historically, companies have tried to deal with their external environment by adding specific staff functions to respond to particular 'threats' as they emerged. The authors argue that a more proactive approach is needed to adapt to the new reality of business in a global world. After analysing several cases that laid out important historical antecedents spanning the last 30 years, the authors suggest a new paradigm-based on open systems theory for conceptualizing and organizing the corporate external affairs activities.
Association of Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors With Microscopic Qualities of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Youth

Background—This study examined whether atherosclerosis in young people is associated with the risk factors for clinical coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results—Histological sections of left anterior descending coronary arteries (LADs) from 760 autopsied 15- to 34-year-old victims of accidents, homicides, and suicides were graded according to the American Heart Association (AHA) system and computerized morphometry. Risk factors (dyslipoproteinemia, smoking, hypertension, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance) were assessed by postmortem measurements. Approximately 2% of 15- to 19-year-old men and 20% of 30- to 34-year-old men had AHA grade 4 or 5 (advanced) lesions. No 15- to 19-year-old women had grade 4 or 5 lesions; 8% of 30- to 34-year-old women had such lesions. Approximately 19% of 30- to 34-year-old men and 8% of 30- to 34-year-old women had atherosclerotic stenosis ≥40% in the LAD. AHA grade 2 or 3 lesions (fatty streaks), grade 4 or 5 lesions, and stenosis ≥40% were associated with non-HDL...
Using Molecular Similarity to Develop Reliable Models of Chemical Reactions in Complex Environments.

The use of molecular similarity to develop reliable low-cost quantum mechanical models for use in quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulations of chemical reactions is explored, using the H + HF → H2 + F collinear reaction as a test case. The approach first generates detailed quantum chemical data for the reaction center in geometries and electrostatic environments that span those expected to arise during the molecular dynamics simulations. For each geometry and environment, both high- and low-level ab initio calculations are performed. A model is then developed to predict the high-level results using only inputs generated from the low-level theory. The inputs used here are based on principal component analysis of the low-level distributed multipoles, and the model is a simple linear regression. The distributed multipoles are monopoles, dipoles, and quadrupoles at each atomic center, and they summarize the electronic distribution in a manner that is comparable across basis set. The error in the mod...
Detoxification of the phytoalexins maackiain and medicarpin by fungal pathogens of alfalfa

Abstract Nine fungal pathogens of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) (lucerne) were assayed for their ability to metabolize the pterocarpanoid phytoalexins (−)maackiain and (−)medicarpin. All of the alfalfa fungal isolates were able to metabolize both (−)maackiain and (−)medicarpin. Six different initial reaction products were observed, and often a single isolate produced multiple metabolic products. All the products have been previously described, except for those produced by Cercospora medicaginis . This fungus hydroxylated the pterocarpans at the 1a carbon to form a 1a[ R ]OH-dienone, in which the hydroxyl group is trans to the bridgehead protons, and is the 1a epimer of the previously described cis form of the compound. (−)Maackiain and both of the 1a hydroxylated epimers were tested for toxicity on isolates of Nectria haematococca mating population I and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that do not degrade maackiain or its 1aOH-dienone products. Both epimers were less toxic than maackiain, and the trans epimer was less toxic than the cis form.
Venous activated clotting time after intra-arterial heparin: Effect of site of administration and timing of sampling

It is not known how the site of arterial administration of heparin and the timing of the activated clotting time (ACT) measurement affect the ACT during coronary interventions. We measured serial femoral venous ACTs after heparin was administered either via the angioplasty guiding catheter into the central aorta or peripherally via a sheath into the femoral artery. When heparin was administered into the central aorta, the ACT rose gradually and by 60 sec plateaued without further increase. When heparin was given into the femoral artery, the ACT displayed a marked "overshoot" early (20-270 sec after heparin) and did not plateau until sometime between 270 and 800 sec after heparin administration. We conclude that the site of administration and timing of venous sampling markedly affect the measured ACT during coronary interventions. Operators should be aware of these effects when assessing the accuracy of the ACT during coronary interventions.
Relation of body mass index to depression and weighing frequency in overweight women

Abstract Objective. Research suggests that overweight and obesity are associated with depressive symptoms, particularly among women. Evidence from weight control trials suggests that higher weighing frequency is associated with greater weight loss or less weight gain. As limited data exist on the effects of self-weighing on body mass index (BMI) among overweight adults with or without depression, this study seeks to examine this issue using data from a population-based epidemiologic survey. Methods. Data from a large population-based survey of 4655 women ages 40–65 in the greater Seattle area, surveyed from November 2003 to February 2005, were used to examine associations of depression and weight self-monitoring with BMI. Sample-weighted regression models were used to examine associations of depression, self-weighing frequency, and BMI, with demographic factors (race/ethnicity, employment status, smoking status, age, martial status, educational attainment) entered as covariates. Results. Regression models indicated that higher self-weighing frequency and negative depression status were independently associated with lower BMI, with no interaction observed between depression and self-weighing. Conclusion. Frequent self-weighing appears to be associated with lower BMI in both depressed and non-depressed overweight women.
Effect of urea pellet size and dicyandiamide on residual ammonium in field microplots

Abstract Nitrification of urea can be slowed by adding a nitrification inhibitor or by fertilizer localization. The purpose of this research was to compare the effects of urea pellet size (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 g) and level of dicyandiamide (DCD) addition (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% of N as DCD‐N) on residual ammonium in field microplots. Trials were conducted at ten locations in North Dakota during 1988 and 1989. Adding DCD to 0.01 g urea pellets slowed nitrification at all locations and the lower rates of DCD (1–2% of N as DCD‐N) often performed as well as higher rates. Increasing urea pellet size to 1.0 g was more effective in inhibiting nitrification than adding DCD to 0.01 g pellets. Increased pellet size plus addition of DCD led to a very slow nitrification. A 1.0 g urea pellet containing 1–2% of N as DCD‐N should be a practical fertilizer formulation where a very slow nitrification is required.
The quadriplegia index of function (QIF): sensitivity and reliability demonstrated in a study of thirty quadriplegic patients

The Quadriplegia Index of Function (QIF) was originally developed by the authors in 1980 because the popular Barthel Index was deemed too insensitive to document the small but significant functional gains made by quadriplegics (tetraplegics) during medical rehabilitation. The QIF has now been tested on a group of 30 complete quadriplegic patients at admission to and discharge from inpatient medical rehabilitation. Resultant scores were compared to those simultaneously obtained by the Barthel Index and the Kenny Self-Care Evaluation. The QIF was found to be more sensitive (46 per cent improvement as opposed to 30 per cent by the Kenny Self Care Evaluation and 20 per cent by the Barthel Index). The QIF was also tested for reliability. Ratings by three different nurses, working independently, were found to be significantly positively correlated for all sub-scores (p less than .001). We conclude that the QIF provides a useful option in choosing a functional assessment instrument for use with quadriplegic patients.
Genetic dissection of host immune response.

Infectious diseases are likely to be a major source of selective pressure on the evolution of the immune system.1 Unfortunately, the functional plasticity and redundancy of the immune system complicates the experimental study of each of its components. Because pathogens exhibit abilities to combat and avoid host immunity, they are excellent tools to dissect the function of each of the components of the immune system.2 In a paper published in this issue, Kamimura et al3 provide an example of how pathogens can be used to reveal specific immune response defects. The authors studied specific alterations introduced into the gp130 gene, which encodes a common subunit of IL-6 family cytokine receptors. Previously, the authors had identified molecular defects in the signals emanating from these mutant receptors. In the current study, the authors evaluated the role of mutant gp130 in resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes. The authors chose well in using Listeria as a probe into the functioning of the immune system, since resistance to this pathogen relies on contributions from all the major components of innate and acquired immunity.5 In this article, we will to discuss the general significance of this strategy in the context of understanding the complexities of host immunity. In brief, there are a few mutually complementing genetic approaches that are used to study the host immune response. These approaches can be roughly split into two classes. Many investigators analyze alterations in the host response that are induced by directed genetic modification of an organism. Typical genetic modifications include mouse gene knock-outs, knock-ins, and introduction of transgenes. Because this approach is hypothesis driven, it is widely used, and the results reported by Kamimura et al3 fall in this category. In contrast, genetic mapping allows the identification of genes whose role in host immunity may not yet be suspected. Genetic mapping relies on an unbiased analysis of the immune response of progeny obtained from crosses. While this approach presents several experimental difficulties, it can, unlike the first one, simultaneously reveal both
Using the ACA Competencies for Counseling with Transgender Clients to Increase Rural Transgender Well-Being

Counselors who work with transgender clients in rural areas may have insufficient access to information about rural transgender populations. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Competencies for Counseling with Transgender Clients serve to help fill a knowledge gap related to working with transgender clients. Yet without formal guidelines for working with rural clients, practitioners and scientists alike may be compelled to rely on educated speculation. This article discusses the results of a grounded theory exploration of well-being among members of a rural transgender support group and the resulting model, the rural transgender multi-level model of well-being. Four themes were identified: (a) vocational experiences in which work experiences impacted perceptions of well-being, (b) personal growth and coming out in which participants described choices related to coming out in relation to well-being, (c) acceptance was discussed in terms of how well-being was influenced by internal acceptance of self ...
A TSVD Analysis of the Impact of Polarization on Microwave Breast Imaging Using an Enclosed Array of Miniaturized Patch Antennas

Microwave breast imaging performance is fundamentally dependent on the quality of information contained within the scattering data. We apply a truncated singular-value decomposition (TSVD) method to evaluate the information contained in a simulated scattering scenario wherein a compact, shielded array of miniaturized patch antennas surrounds an anatomically realistic numerical breast phantom. In particular, we investigate the impact of different antenna orientations (and thus polarizations), namely two array configurations with uniform antenna orientations and one mixed-orientation array configuration. The latter case is of interest because it may offer greater flexibility in antenna and array design. The results of this analysis indicate that mixed-polarization configurations do not degrade information quality compared to uniform-polarization configurations and, in fact, may enhance imaging performance and thus represent viable design options for microwave breast imaging systems.
Age differences in recall of categorized material: organization or retrieval?

Summary The independent and combined influences of organizational versus retrieval processes on age differences in recall of categorized materials were examined. Five-year-olds, 8-year-olds, and adults were tested for recall of 15 pictures from three categories under four different conditions: 1. Blocked presentation-constrained recall, in which pictures were grouped by category at presentation and Ss were constrained to recall the items by category; 2. Blocked presentation-free recall, where pictures were presented in category groups but Ss recalled items without constraints; 3. Random presentation-constrained recall, in which pictures were presented randomly, but Ss were constrained to recall by category; 4. Random presentation-free recall, where pictures were presented randomly and no retrieval constraints were imposed. Results indicated that blocked presentation improved recall performance uniformly across age. In contrast, constrained recall instructions enhanced performance of 5-year-olds more than ...
SAR with Two-Dimensional Aperture Synthesis

The omega-k algorithm follows from the Leith-Upatnieks hologram and the holography based SAR mathematical problem is solved using Fourier analysis. Holography stems from Huygens-Fresnel principle describing the scalar diffraction theory subservient to Maxwell's equations of electromagnetic theory. It is the Huygens-Fresnel principle that renders SAR imaging phenomenon and Optical imaging phenomenon mathematically analogous. In this paper we have used SAR2, the two dimensional variant of the contemporary one dimensional slant plane SAR. SAR2 involves two dimensional rectangular aperture synthesis. Detailed simulations of SAR2 are presented. Matched filtering in SAR2 with incorrect altitude is demonstrated that bears striking resemblance to image plane that is ahead or behind the focal plane in Fourier optics. Optimum circular aperture shape is predicted from the knowledge of the mathematical condition encountered in the analytic formulation of SAR2. Finally, Fourier optics model of Circular SAR (CSAR) algorithm is devised. Fourier optics analogy makes CSAR algorithm a predictable development in SAR imaging.
Social dominance regulates androgen and estrogen receptor gene expression

In Astatotilapia burtoni, dominant males have higher levels of sex steroid hormones than subordinate males. Because of the complex regulatory interactions between steroid hormones and receptors, we asked whether dominance is also associated with variation in sex steroid receptor gene expression. Using quantitative PCR, we compared the expression of specific subtypes of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptor genes between dominant and subordinated males in 3 divisions of the brain, the pituitary, and the testes. We measured mRNA levels of AR-alpha, AR-beta, ER-alpha, ER-betaa, and ER-betab, gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1), and GnRH receptor 1 (GnRH-R1) relative to 18S rRNA. In the anterior part of the brain, we found that dominant males had higher mRNA expression of AR-alpha, AR-beta, ER-betaa, and ER-betab, but not ER-alpha, compared to subordinate males. This effect of dominance was reflected in a positive correlation between testes size and AR-alpha, AR-beta, ER-betaa, and ER-betab in the anterior brain. In addition, mRNA levels of all ARs and ERs in the anterior brain were positively correlated with mRNA level of GnRH1. In the middle and posterior portions of the brain, as well as the testes, steroid receptor mRNA levels were similar among dominants and subordinates. In the pituitary, ER-alpha mRNA level was positively correlated with testes size and AR-alpha mRNA was positively correlated with GnRH-R1 mRNA level. These data suggest that dominant male brains could be more sensitive to sex steroids, which may contribute to the increased complexity of the behavioral repertoires of dominant males.
Application of the One-Third rule in hydrocarbon and crude oil systems

Abstract Thermodynamic and transport properties of hydrocarbon systems are determined, in part, by the van der Waals attractions between molecules. These van der Waals attractions (or London dispersion interactions) are related to the electronic polarizability and molar refractivity of the molecules. Molar refractivity is related to refractive index and molar volume through the Lorentz–Lorenz equation. In this work we present a method that relates the refractive index of a hydrocarbon substance with its mass density. This is based on the observation that the molar refractivity is approximately proportional to the molecular weight of a hydrocarbon molecule. The proportionality constant is approximately equal to one-third for hydrocarbons and crude oil systems. Although both the refractive index and the mass density are functions of temperature, it has been found that the proportionality constant of this model is nearly invariable over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. Therefore, given the temperature dependence of one of the variables, it is possible, by applying the “One-Third” rule, to estimate the temperature dependence of the other variable. This correlation has been validated with over 200 crude oil samples, in a wide range of densities (10–55°API) and temperatures (10–70 °C), and the results obtained are remarkable. The applications of the One-Third rule in the calculation of properties such as solubility parameter, viscosity, thermal conductivity, diffusivity and heat capacity of hydrocarbons and crude oil systems, as a function of the mass density, are presented and discussed. This approach also provides an alternative to calculate the refractive index based on densities obtained from an equation of state. The method presented in this work is promising in offering a new, simple and reliable method for estimating hydrocarbon and crude oil properties as a function of their mass density.
Inhibition of Bacillus subtilis aminopeptidase D by beta-lactam antibiotics.

Penicillins and cephalosporins inhibit the hydrolysis of D-alanyl-beta-naphthylamide by aminopeptidase D (EC 3.4.11.-) from Bacillus subtilis. The inhibition is predominantly non-competitive, although the more effective inhibitors, i.e., those with the lower Ki values, seem to exhibit a tendency toward competitive kinetics, while penicillin V, the antibiotic with the largest Ki, exhibits a strong tendency toward uncompetitive kinetics. The removal of antibiotic from the enzyme by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 restores 100% activity to the enzyme, and suggests that the inhibition does not derive from a covalent antibiotic-enzyme complex. The antibiotics which have been studied, with their respective Ki values (mM) and inhibition type are: methicillin (1.01 +/- 0.34, mixed non-competitive-competitive); cephaloridine (2.43 +/- 0.17, non-competitive); cloxacillin (3.19 +/- 1.29, mixed non-competitive-competitive); oxacillin (6.88 +/- 0.77, non-competitive); cephalothin (8.12 +/- 0.99, non-competitive); penicillin G (20.0 +/- 3.21, non-competitive) and penicillin V (32.1 +/- 4.90, mixed non-competitive-uncompetitive). An empirical correlation exists between the Ki value and the freedom of rotation about the bond between the phenyl ring and the atom alpha to the ring in the variable side chain portion of the penicillin molecule.
Frequency-tunable nonlinear-optical negative-index metamirror for sensing applications

The concept of all-optically controlled, remotely actuated and interrogated, ultra-compact nonlinear-optical sensor which can be employed for environmental probing in remote or hostile locations is proposed and the underlying theory is developed. Backwardness of electromagnetic waves propagating in the negative-index metamaterials play critically important role in the proposed concept. Difference-frequency, three- and four-wave mixing processes are investigated and numerically simulated, which utilize uncommon coherent energy transfer from the control optical field to the contra-propagating negative-phase wave. Such conversion leads to parametric amplification of the incident signal and frequency-shifted wave generated in the direction of reflection. Extraordinary features of the proposed microscopic devices applied to sensing applications are discussed. Numerical experiments have been carried out to identify optimum operational requirements and the anticipated properties of the proposed sensor.
THE INELASTIC SCATTERING OF HIGH ENERGY NEUTRONS BY DEUTERONS ACCORDING TO THE IMPULSE APPROXIMATION

The high energy $n\ensuremath{-}d$ inelastic scattering problem is formulated in such a way that the amplitudes for $n\ensuremath{-}n$ and $n\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering at the same energy appear explicitly. The formulation depends on: (1) the large radius of the deuteron compared with the range of nuclear forces and high energy scattering amplitudes; (2) the high velocity of the incident neutron compared to the zero point motion of the deuteron. The method does not depend on the weakness of nuclear forces compared to the kinetic energy of the neutron and is therefore not equivalent to the Born approximation.