cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Consequences of Weight Stigma: Implications for Obesity Prevention and Treatment

Despite decades of research documenting consistent stigma and discrimination against individuals with obesity, weight stigma is rarely considered in obesity prevention and treatment efforts. In recent years, evidence has examined weight stigmatization as a unique contributor to negative health outcomes and behaviors that can promote and exacerbate obesity. This review summarizes findings from published studies within the past 4 years examining the relationship between weight stigma and maladaptive eating behaviors (binge eating and increased food consumption), physical activity, weight status (weight gain and loss and development of obesity), and physiological stress responses. Research evaluating the effects of weight stigma present in obesity-related public health campaigns is also highlighted. Evidence collectively demonstrates negative implications of stigmatization for weight-related health correlates and behaviors and suggests that addressing weight stigma in obesity prevention and treatment is warranted. Key questions for future research to further delineate the health effects of weight stigmatization are summarized.
Overeating and obesity produced by interruption of the caudal connections of the hypothalamus: evidence of hormonal and metabolic disruption.

Abstract Surgical transection of the posterior connections of the medial basal hypothalamus is much more effective in producing hyperphagia and obesity in female than in male rats. The hyperphagia of female rats can be attenuated by daily injections of estradiol. When starved to the weight of control animals, previously obese female rats with cuts through the posterior hypothalamus showed only mild hyperphagia but quickly returned to their elevated body weights. The results indicated that hormonal and metabolic disturbance are important factors in determining food intake and body weight following damage to the ventromedial hypothalamus.
Nuclear electric ion propulsion for three deep space missions

Abstract Nuclear electric ion propulsion is considered for three sample deep space missions starting from a 500 km low Earth orbit encompassing the transfer of a 100 MT payload into a 1500 km orbit around Mars, the rendezvous of a 10 MT payload with the Jovian moon Europa and the rendezvous of a similar payload with Saturn's moon Titan. Near term ion engine and space nuclear reactor technology are assumed. It is shown that nuclear electric ion propulsion offers more than twice the payload for the Mars mission relative to the case when a nuclear thermal rocket is used for the trans-Mars injection maneuver at Earth, and about the same payload advantage relative to the case when solar electric propulsion is used for the Mars heliocentric transfer. For missions to the outer planets nuclear electric ion propulsion increases the payload mass fraction by a factor of two or more compared with high thrust systems that utilize gravity assist trajectories.
Construction of Lagrangian surfaces in complex Euclidean plane with Legendre curves

An important problem in the theory of Lagrangian submanifolds is to find non-trivial examples of Lagrangian submanifolds in complex Euclidean spaces with some given special geometric properties. In this article, we provide a new method to construct Lagrangian surfaces in the complex Euclidean plane C2 by using Legendre curves in S3(1) $\subset$ C2. We also investigate intrinsic and extrinsic geometric properties of the Lagrangian surfaces in C2 obtained by applying our construction method. As an application we provide some new families of Hamiltonian minimal Lagrangian surfaces in C2 via our construction method.
Ludwig Pilgrim, a pioneer of colorimetry

Colorimetry derives from the early efforts of Newton, Young, Maxwell, and Helmholtz. In 1901 Pilgrim published a paper in which he quantitatively described a colorimetric system both in trichromatic as well as opponent color format. He appears to be the first to have offered a depiction of the cone-shaped surface of spectral vectors in the space of color fundamentals. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 5–10, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20288
Risk Assessment of Virus in Drinking Water

The reevaluation of drinking water treatment practices in a desire to minimize the formation of disinfection byproducts while assuring minimum levels of public health protection against infectious organisms has caused it to become necessary to consider the problem of estimation of risks posed from exposure to low levels of microorganisms, such as virus or protozoans, found in treated drinking water. This paper outlines a methodology based on risk assessment principles to approach the problem. The methodology is validated by comparison with results obtained in a prospective epidemiological study. It is feasible to produce both point and interval estimates of infection, illness and perhaps mortality by this methodology. Areas of uncertainty which require future data are indicated.
Breast Health Intervention Effects on Knowledge and Beliefs Over Time Among Chinese American Immigrants—a Randomized Controlled Study

Chinese American immigrant women, nonadherent with mammography in the past 12 months, (N = 300) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial designed to change knowledge and beliefs and increase mammogram use. This report describes intervention effects on changes in knowledge and beliefs between the control and educational groups over four time points (baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months). Variables measured included knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived general barriers to mammography, perceived benefits to mammography, and four cultural barriers to mammography (crisis orientation, modesty, use of Eastern medicine, reliance on others). At all three post-intervention time points, women in the education group had significantly higher knowledge scores than those in the control group, regardless of whether they had completed a mammogram during the study. Women in the education group reported higher perceived susceptibility to breast cancer at 3-month post-intervention. At 3- and 6-month post-intervention, regardless of mammogram screening completion, women reported lower concerns about modesty related to mammography when compared to the control group. By the 12-month post-intervention, women in the education group reported significantly fewer perceived barriers than the control group. A targeted breast health program successfully changed breast health knowledge and beliefs that were sustained for up to 6–12 months. Education targeted to women’s knowledge and beliefs has significant potential for decreasing disparity in mammogram use among Chinese American immigrant women.
The value tensions in Korean–American mother–child relationships while facilitating academic success

The current study explored mothers’ perspectives concerning their experiences in facilitating the academic success of their adolescents in American schools, using a naturalistic study design, data from transcribed personal interviews of 17 Korean–American mothers, and a phenomenological analysis approach (Giorgi, 1985, 1997). The purposes of this study were to (a) reveal the layers of context that influenced mothers’ thoughts, actions, and mother–child relationships as they assisted their adolescents in realizing academic success, a core value in Korean culture, and (b) uncover the relationship difficulties mothers perceived in these processes. The results indicated that mothers were influenced by their individualistic and collectivist cultural (meta) contexts as they tried to facilitate the academic success for their adolescents. Second, they were struggling with their competing Korean and American value systems (general context) in the adjustment processes of “becoming an American” and “remaining a Korean.” Third, mothers revealed their value tensions with adolescents (specific context) in school and family settings. In the family setting the tensions involved balancing obedience and respect with freedom and equality, similarity preference with diversity tolerance, and achievement and recognition with happiness and fulfillment.
Effects of input manipulations on the word learning abilities of children with and without specific language impairment

Three input variables were manipulated during a story-viewing task to examine the word learning abilities of children with and without specific language impairment (SLI). The variables were presentation rate, sentence complexity, and word type. Fifty-four children participated: 18 were identified as SLI and 36 served as normally developing age-matched or language-matched controls. The stimuli involved a videotaped reading of two stories that had novel words embedded in the narrative, and word learning was measured by examining the children's ability to infer the meanings of the novel words from the story viewing context. A picture pointing task and a real word synonym task served as comprehension probes. A nonword repetition task and a battery of language tests were also administered. Two of the three input manipulations affected the children's scores. Across both probes, word type resulted in a main effect, with children from all three groups earning higher scores for verbs than nouns. On the picture pointing probe, presentation rate interacted with group. The interaction reflected lower scores in the fast rate than the slow rate for the children with SLI but not for the controls. Children's nonword repetition scores and standardized tests of vocabulary and syntax were moderately correlated with each other, and together these variables accounted for significant variation in the children's story viewing scores even after age, IQ, and articulation ability were controlled. The vocabulary and syntax tests contributed unique variance whereas nonword repetition contributed shared variance.
China and the Rest Are Only Joining the American‐Built Order

American-led globalization has enabled the third great powershift of the last five hundred years—the “rise of the rest” following on the rise of the West and then the rise of the US as the dominant power in the West. When China, India, Brazil, Turkey and the rest sit at the table of global power with the West what will the world order look like? Will it be post-American? Will it be culturally non-Western, but play by the same rules of an open international order laid down by the American's after World War II? In the following pages, leading American and Asian intellectuals ponder these questions.
Liposarcoma of the Pleura

Pleural liposarcomas are extremely rare; only eight cases have been reported in the literature. Herein we describe a 38-year-old man who had dyspnea on exertion and chest pain. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a large mass in the right pleural cavity. Thoracotomy was performed, and the patient recovered with no complications. Postoperative adjuvant irradiation was successful. In addition to the current case, we review the previously reported cases of pleural liposarcomas and discuss the treatment outcomes.
Reasoning up and down a Food Chain: Using an Assessment Framework to Investigate Students' Middle Knowledge.

Being able to make claims about what students know and can do in science involves gathering systematic evidence of students' knowledge and abilities. This paper describes an assessment system designed to elicit information from students at many placements along developmental trajectories and demonstrates how this system was used to gather principled evidence of how students reason about food web and food chain disturbances. Specifically, this assessment system was designed to gather information about students' intermediary or middle knowledge on a pathway toward more sophisticated understanding. Findings indicate that in association with a curricular intervention, student gains were significant. However, despite overall gains, some students still struggled to explain what might happen during a disturbance to an ecosystem. In addition, this paper discusses the importance of having a cognitive framework to guide task design and interpretation of evidence. This framework allowed for the gathering of detailed information, which provided insights into the intricacies of how students reason about scientific scenarios. In particular, this assessment system allowed for the illustration of multiple types of middle knowledge that students may possess, indicating that there are multiple “messy middles” students may move through as they develop the ability to reason about complex scientific situations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:259–281, 2010
Attack of the fish clones.

The cloning of zebrafish by nuclear transfer from long-term-cultured cells opens a new avenue for gene targeting in this important model organism.
Induction of Nonmuscle Myosin Heavy Chain II-C by Butyrate in RAW 264.7 Mouse Macrophages

RAW 264.7 macrophages express nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-A as the only significant nonmuscle myosin heavy chain isoform, with expression of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-B and II-C low or absent. Treatment of the cells with sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, led to the dose-dependent induction of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C. Trichostatin A, another inhibitor of histone deacetylase, also induced nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C. Induction of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C in response to these histone deacetylase inhibitors was attenuated by mithramycin, an inhibitor of Sp1 binding to GC-rich DNA sequences. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide alone had no effect on basal nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C expression, but attenuated butyrate-mediated induction of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C. The effects of lipopolysaccharide were mimicked by the nitric oxide donors sodium nitroprusside and spermine NONOate, suggesting a role for nitric oxide in the lipopolysaccharide-mediated down-regulation of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C induction. This was supported by experiments with the inducible nitric-oxide synthase inhibitor 1400W, which partially blocked the lipopolysaccharide-mediated attenuation of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain induction. 8-Bromo-cGMP had no effect on nonmuscle myosin heavy chain induction, consistent with a cGMP-independent mechanism for nitric oxide-mediated inhibition of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II-C induction.
Efficacy, Safety, and Cost of Thrombolytic Agents for the Management of Dysfunctional Hemodialysis Catheters: A Systematic Review

Approximately 100,000 patients begin hemodialysis each year in the United States. Although an arteriovenous fistula or graft is the preferred method for long-term vascular access during hemodialysis, as these types of vascular access are the most reliable, approximately 30% of patients require the use of catheters to continue hemodialysis. Tunneled, cuffed hemodialysis catheters are discouraged for permanent vascular access because of their high rates of infection, morbidity and mortality, and thrombotic and technical complications. These catheters have a short functional life span and require medical intervention, often thrombolytic therapy, to treat the catheter malfunction. No thrombolytic agent is specifically indicated for the management of occluded hemodialysis catheters. Thus, we performed a systematic review to critically evaluate all available studies that examined the efficacy, safety, and cost of thrombolytic therapy for the management of dysfunctional hemodialysis catheters. Studies were included if they reported efficacy in a specific proportion of affected dysfunctional hemodialysis catheters; reported the proportion of patients experiencing an adverse outcome (especially bleeding); and described the type of catheter used, dose of thrombolytic agent, administration protocol, dwell time, definition of treatment success, time to follow-up for study end points, and sample size. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The mean ± SD success rate in clearing dysfunctional hemodialysis catheters was greatest with reteplase at 88 ± 4%, followed by alteplase at 81 ± 37% and tenecteplase at 41 ± 5%. Adverse effects associated with the use of these thrombolytic agents administered at low doses were extremely rare. No serious adverse bleeding events attributed to thrombolytic therapy were reported in any of the trials. Aliquotted reteplase from vials for intravenous use was the least costly thrombolytic agent. Thus, at centers that use high volumes of thrombolytics for dysfunctional hemodialysis catheters, reteplase is the thrombolytic agent of choice.
Preparation of Metal Phosphates by Metathesis Reaction with BPO4

The preparation of metal phosphates by metathesis reaction of BPO4 with metal oxides and fluorides has been demonstrated to occur from 600° to 1000°C. Such reactions can be advantageously used in converting refractory metal oxides (such as those present in nuclear wastes) to phosphates.
FTDP-17 tau mutations induce distinct effects on aggregation and microtubule interactions.

FTDP-17 mutations in the tau gene lead to early onset frontotemporal dementias characterized by the pathological aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Tau aggregation is closely co...
In vitro and in vivo effects of cocaine and selected local anesthetics on the dopamine transporter

The effects of selected local anesthetics on in vitro and in vivo measurements of dopamine transporter activity were determined to investigate the role of local anesthetic activity in the neuronal actions of cocaine. Cocaine inhibited [3H]2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane 1.5-naphthalenedisulfonate (CFT) binding and [3H]dopamine uptake with estimated Ki and IC50 values of 0.6 microM and 0.7 micorM, respectively. Of the local anesthetics tested, only dimethocaine showed full displacement of CFT binding (0-30 microM tested) and full inhibition of dopamine uptake (0-100 microM tested). Dimethocaine was only slightly less potent than cocaine with an estimated Ki of 1.4 micorM and an IC50 value of 1.2 microM for [3H]CFT binding and dopamine uptake. At a maximum concentration of 100 microM, the ester containing local anesthetics procaine, tetracaine, piperocaine and the amide containing local anesthetic dibucaine and bupivacaine partially inhibited dopamine uptake by 47-70%. The ester containing local anesthetic propoxycaine and the amide containing local anesthetics prilocaine, etidocaine, procainamide, and lidocaine inhibited dopamine uptake by 8-30% at 100 microM. A 10 min administration of cocaine, dimethocaine, or procaine in the dialysis solution produced dose-dependent, reversible increases in endogenous dopamine efflux from the striata of awake rats. Cocaine and dimethocaine produced similar 12-fold increases in dialysate dopamine at concentrations of 0.1 mM and 1 mM respectively. Procaine (10 mM) produced a 6-fold increase in dialysate dopamine while lidocaine (1 mM) produced a reproducible and reversible decrease (30%). These results show that the cocaine-like actions of certain local anesthetics such as dimethocaine and procaine result from their direct actions of dopamine uptake inhibitors.
Increased thermal noise in nonuniform fiber suspensions

Abstract Fabrication techniques for fused silica fiber suspensions often result in nonuniform fiber diameters. We report the results of a model showing that the mechanical losses of a nonuniform fiber suspension can be twice those of the corresponding uniform fiber case, and suggest some techniques to reduce the level of nonuniformities.
Positively and Negatively Modulating Cell Adhesion to Type I Collagen Via Peptide Grafting

The biophysical interactions between cells and type I collagen are controlled by the level of cell adhesion, which is dictated primarily by the density of ligands on collagen and the density of integrin receptors on cells. The native adhesivity of collagen was modulated by covalently grafting glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine (GRGDS), which includes the bioactive RGD sequence, or glycine-arginine-aspartic acid-glycine-serine (GRDGS), which includes the scrambled RDG sequence, to collagen with the hetero-bifunctional coupling agent 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide. The peptide-grafted collagen self-assembled into a fibrillar gel with negligible changes in gel structure and rheology. Rat dermal fibroblasts (RDFs) and human smooth muscle cells demonstrated increased levels of adhesion on gels prepared from RGD-grafted collagen, and decreased levels of adhesion on RDG-grafted collagen. Both cell types demonstrated an increased ability to compact free-floating RGD-grafted collagen gels, and an impaired ability to compact RDG-grafted gels. RDF migration on and within collagen was increased with RDG-grafted collagen and decreased with RGD-grafted collagen, and dose-response experiments indicated a biphasic response of RDF migration to adhesion. Smooth muscle cells demonstrated similar, though not statistically significant, trends. The ability to both positively and negatively modulate cell adhesion to collagen increases the versatility of this natural biomaterial for regenerative therapies.
Fatal cardiovascular disease and cutis laxa following acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis

Acute neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome) is a benign self-limited disease in adults. A child with apparent evolution of acute neutrophilic dermatosis to postinflammatory cutis laxa and elastolysis then developed fatal vascular involvement. One other patient with postinflammatory cutis laxa with aortic regurgitation and sudden fatal unrecognized occlusive coronary arterial disease is discussed. If cardiovascular symptoms or signs develop during the course of Sweet syndrome or postinflammatory cutis laxa, a thorough investigation is warranted to rule out potentially fatal coronary arterial disease. Coronary bypass surgery may be the only effective treatment for the severely fibrosed proximal coronary arterial system.
Extended Extragalactic Radio Sources

The most important feature of the extended sources is the double structure characterized in an ideal model by two extended radio-emitting regions situated symmetrically about the nucleus of an optical galaxy or QSO, with a characteristic overall size of about 100 kpc. Not all extended radio sources show this double structure. It has been found that at moderate resolutions about 20% of the well-resolved sources have a core-halo structure. Theoretical proposals for the containment of extended double sources have so far relied either upon self-gravitation of the ejected material or upon assuming the existence of a gaseous intergalactic medium. The advantages and the problems of a model proposed by Burbidge (1967) are discussed, together with the nuclear event serving to release the energy required to make an extended radio source.
Strings in the CP2N−1 model

The CP2N−1 model is discussed using strings as collective variables in the hamiltonian formulation. The large N limit is obtained as a semiclassical approximation. The mass gap and β-function are computed. In the limit N → ∞, it is shown that the singlet spectrum contains both bound states and scattering states whose energies and wave functions are calculated.
Leptin signaling in adipose tissue: role in lipid accumulation and weight gain.

Rationale:The link between obesity, hyperleptinemia, and development of cardiovascular disease is not completely understood. Increases in leptin have been shown to impair leptin signaling via caveolin-1–dependent mechanisms. However, the role of hyperleptinemia versus impaired leptin signaling in adipose tissue is not known. Objective:To determine the presence and significance of leptin-dependent increases in adipose tissue caveolin-1 expression in humans. Methods and Results:We designed a longitudinal study to investigate the effects of increases in leptin on adipose tissue caveolin-1 expression during weight gain in humans. Ten volunteers underwent 8 weeks of overfeeding, during which they gained an average weight of 4.1±1.4 kg, with leptin increases from 7±3.8 to 12±5.7 ng/mL. Weight gain also resulted in changes in adipose tissue caveolin-1 expression, which correlated with increases in leptin (rho=0.79, P=0.01). In cultured human white preadipocytes, leptin increased caveolin-1 expression, which in t...
A high performance 6-DOF haptic Cobot

A novel, six-degree-of-freedom active haptic device is introduced. A parallel kinematic design and the use of non-holonomic continuously variable transmissions provide extremely high stiffness in directions that would violate a virtual constraint. At the same time, smooth motion is permitted tangential to virtual constraints and in open space. High quality constraint surfaces having one to five dimensions can be displayed. A notable feature of this device is the mutual coupling of all six linear actuators to a common rotating cylinder, which can, optionally, be powered. The resulting mechanism is simple to control, and allows several new control strategies in Cobotic haptics.
Multi-way partial least-squares and residual bi-linearization for the direct determination of monohydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on octadecyl membranes via room-temperature fluorescence excitation emission matrices.

Fil: Goicoechea, Hector Casimiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina. University of Central Florida; Estados Unidos
Tumor entrained neutrophils inhibit seeding in the premetastatic lung

Primary tumors have been shown to prepare distal organs for later colonization of metastatic cells by stimulating organ-specific infiltration of bone marrow derived cells. Here we demonstrate that neutrophils accumulate in the lung prior to the arrival of metastatic cells in mouse models of breast cancer. Tumor-entrained neutrophils (TENs) inhibit metastatic seeding in the lungs by generating H(2)O(2) and tumor secreted CCL2 is a critical mediator of optimal antimetastatic entrainment of G-CSF-stimulated neutrophils. TENs are present in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients prior to surgical resection but not in healthy individuals. Thus, whereas tumor-secreted factors contribute to tumor progression at the primary site, they concomitantly induce a neutrophil-mediated inhibitory process at the metastatic site.
Molecular computing: the lock-key paradigm

Molecular computers are natural or artificial systems in which macromolecules individually mediate critical information-processing functions. Biological organisms are the naturally occurring examples. Their information-processing virtuosity traces ultimately to the fact that macromolecules, most notably proteins, can recognize specific molecular objects in their environment in a manner that uses shape and depends sensitively on physiochemical context. The ultimate capabilities of this shape-based mode of computing and the technological implications that this mode may have are discussed. Basic principles of molecular computing are introduced and some ways that they might combine to yield new approaches to information technology are considered. Specifically, signal-integrating, optomolecular and neuromolecular computer architectures are described.
A nonlinear Monte Carlo simulation: oxygen transport in the brain:

This paper presents a modification of the Monte Carlo method which permits the solution of nonlinear partial differential equations. A hybrid computer implementa tion of the method is used to solve a nonlinear mathematical model of oxygen transport in the capillaries and tissue of the human brain. The tech nique is an alternative to digital computer methods and can greatly reduce the time required to produce a solution.
Characterization of Streptococcus gordonii SecA2 as a paralogue of SecA.

The accessory Sec system of Streptococcus gordonii is essential for transport of the glycoprotein GspB to the bacterial cell surface. A key component of this dedicated transport system is SecA2. The SecA2 proteins of streptococci and staphylococci are paralogues of SecA and are presumed to have an analogous role in protein transport, but they may be specifically adapted for the transport of large, serine-rich glycoproteins. We used a combination of genetic and biochemical methods to assess whether the S. gordonii SecA2 functions similarly to SecA. Although mutational analyses demonstrated that conserved amino acids are essential for the function of SecA2, replacing such residues in one of two nucleotide binding folds had only minor effects on SecA2 function. SecA2-mediated transport is highly sensitive to azide, as is SecA-mediated transport. Comparison of the S. gordonii SecA and SecA2 proteins in vitro revealed that SecA2 can hydrolyze ATP at a rate similar to that of SecA and is comparably sensitive to azide but that the biochemical properties of these enzymes are subtly different. That is, SecA2 has a lower solubility in aqueous solutions and requires higher Mg2+ concentrations for maximal activity. In spite of the high degree of similarity between the S. gordonii paralogues, analysis of SecA-SecA2 chimeras indicates that the domains are not readily interchangeable. This suggests that specific, unique contacts between SecA2 and other components of the accessory Sec system may preclude cross-functioning with the canonical Sec system.
A model of ocular dominance column development by competition for trophic factor

Recent experimental evidence has shown that application of certain neurotrophic factors (NTs) to the developing primary visual cortex prevents the development of ocular dominance (OD) columns. One interpretation of this result is that afferents from the lateral geniculate nucleus compete for postsynaptic trophic factor in an activity-dependent manner. Application of excess trophic factor eliminates this competition, thereby preventing OD column formation. We present a model of OD column development, incorporating Hebbian synaptic modification and activity-driven competition for NT, which accounts for both normal OD column development as well as the prevention of that development when competition is removed. In the “control” situation, when available NT is below a critical amount, OD columns form normally. These columns form without weight normalization procedures and in the presence of positive inter-eye correlations. In the “experimental” case, OD column development is prevented in a local neighborhood in which excess NT has been added. Our model proposes a biologically plausible mechanism for competition between neural populations that is motivated by several pieces of experimental data, thereby accounting for both normal and experimentally perturbed conditions.
Extraordinary potentiation of isoproterenol cardiotoxicity by corticoid pretreatment

In albino rats, chronically pretreated with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) and saline, the cardiotoxicity of the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, was enormously potentiated (about 20,000 times!). In such animals, a small dose of isoproterenol (6 (μg per 100 g body weight) which otherwise does not produce any irregularities of cardiac rhythm, consistently induced severe arrhythmias, usually leading to ventricular fibrillation and death. Following the same pretreatment, the α- and β-adrenergic agonist, epinephrine, elicited arrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation less consistently and only in the presence of α-adrenergic receptor blockade. Hydrocortisone was less effective than DCA in sensitizing the myocardium to isoproterenol. Substantial enhancement of isoproterenol cardiotoxicity was demonstrated also in the guinea pig pretreated with DCA and saline. The possibility of a potentially lethal drug-drug interaction in patients on prolonged corticoid therapy receiving large dosages of isoproterenol or other β-adrenergic agonists is considered.
On path-level traffic grooming strategies in WDM metro optical networks

This article provides an overview of some of the optical grooming (aggregation) techniques that have been developed recently with IP as the client layer. We identify four kinds of aggregation strategies: point to point (P2P), point to multipoint (P2MP), multipoint to point (MP2P), and multipoint to multipoint (MP2MP). Using an auxiliary graph-based model, we evaluate the performance of these four strategies for singlehop and multihop scenarios that aggregate at the path level. In the case of partial mesh networks with dynamic traffic, we observe the following: MP2MP outperforms other architectures by multiple orders of magnitude in single-hop scenarios; P2P performs best in multihop transceiver-constrained scenarios; and P2MP performs the best in multihop wavelength-constrained scenarios.
Experimental Observation of Energetic Ions Accelerated by Three-dimensional Magnetic Reconnection in a Laboratory Plasma

Magnetic reconnection is widely believed responsible for heating the solar corona as well as for generating X-rays and energetic particles in solar flares. On astrophysical scales, reconnection in the intergalactic plasma is a prime candidate for a local source (!100 Mpc) of cosmic rays exceeding the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff (∼10 19 eV). In a laboratory astrophysics experiment, we have made the first observation of particles accelerated by magnetic reconnection events to energies significantly above both the thermal and the characteristic magneto- hydrodynamic energies. These particles are correlated temporally and spatially with the formation of three- dimensional magnetic structures in the reconnection region. Subject headings: acceleration of particles — cosmic rays — magnetic fields — methods: laboratory — MHD — plasmas Magnetic reconnection occurs when two bodies of highly conductive plasma bearing oppositely directed embedded mag- netic fields merge (Brown 1999; Priest & Forbes 2000). In the simplest, two-dimensional picture, the interface where the in- flowing magnetofluid stagnates contains a current sheet to sup- port the curl of the magnetic field and an electric field to support the consumption of magnetic flux (see Fig. 1). Within the bulk of each inflow, the motion of the field and fluid are coupled owing to the high conductivity. At the interface, this condition no longer holds, and field lines convected into this region break and reconnect across the layer, producing a global change in field topology. The reconnection outflow, coplanar and trans- verse to the inflow, exits the reconnection region with a speed not exceeding that of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) or Alf- ven wave of the coupled fluid and field. In 1/2
Preservation of high‐moisture dried prunes with sodium benzoate instead of potassium sorbate

The relative efficacy of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives for high-moisture dried prunes was determined using prunes with moisture contents between 31 and 38%. As the moisture content of the prunes increased, the level of preservative required increased. Higher concentrations of sodium benzoate than potassium sorbate were required to achieve equal protection of prunes from spoilage. The relative efficacy of these preservatives varies with the type of microbial spoilage. While sodium benzoate generally appeared to be about equally effective against the yeast and moulds used, potassium sorbate was more effective against the mould than against the yeasts. It appeared that it would take 40 to 90% more sodium benzoate than potassium sorbate to preserve high-moisture dried prunes from both types of spoilage. On the basis of the present commercial levels of potassium sorbate, it should be possible to preserve commercially produced high-moisture dried prunes using sodium benzoate without exceeding the U.S. legal limit of 0.1%.
Calculation of the Spectral Radiance Factors of Luminescent Samples

It is often desirable to calculate the spectral radiance factor (SRF, the sum of the reflected and fluorescent radiances) which a photoluminescent—commonly called a fluorescent—sample would exhibit if it were irradiated by a standard illuminant, such as CIE D65, which is not available as a source for direct measurement. Several methods described in the literature for calculating the desired SRF from measurements made using available sources are tested experimentally using measurements made on commonly available one-monochromator integrating-sphere spectrophotometers. The choice of the calculation method is shown to be less important than the closeness of the match of the spectral distribution of irradiance on the sample to that from the standard illuminant. This is influenced by both the selection of the experimental source and the effects of the integrating sphere. With all variables properly controlled, comparison of calculated and directly measured SRFs leads to color differences less than one CIELAB unit.
Effects of sixty six adolescent tobacco use cessation trials and seventeen prospective studies of self-initiated quitting

This paper provides a review of the last two and a half decades of research in adolescent and young-adult tobacco use cessation. A total of 66 tobacco cessation intervention studies – targeted or population – are reviewed. In addition, an exhaustive review is completed of adolescent self-initiated tobacco use cessation, involving 17 prospective survey studies. Average reach and retention across the intervention studies was 61% and 78%, respectively, and was higher when whole natural units were treated (e.g., classrooms), than when units created specifically for the program were treated (e.g., school-based clinics). The mean quit-rate at a three to 12-month average follow-up among the program conditions was 12%, compared to approximately 7% across control groups. A comparison of intervention theories revealed that motivation enhancement (19%) and contingency-based reinforcement (16%) programs showed higher quit-rates than the overall intervention cessation mean. Regarding modalities (channels) of change, classroom-based programs showed the highest quit rates (17%). Computer-based (expert system) programs also showed promise (13% quit-rate), as did school-based clinics (12%). There was a fair amount of missing data and wide variation on how data points were measured in the programs' evaluations. Also, there were relatively few direct comparisons of program and control groups. Thus, it would be difficult to conduct a formal meta-analysis on the cessation programs. Still, these data suggest that use of adolescent tobacco use cessation interventions double quit rates on the average. In the 17 self-initiated quitting survey studies, key predictors of quitting were living in a social milieu that is composed of fewer smokers, less pharmacological or psychological dependence on smoking, anti-tobacco beliefs (e.g., that society should step in to place controls on smoking) and feeling relatively hopeful about life. Key variables relevant to the quitting process may include structuring the context of programming for youth, motivating quit attempts and reducing ambivalence about quitting, and making programming enjoyable as possible. There also is a need to help youth to sustain a quit-attempt. In this regard, one could provide ongoing support during the acute withdrawal period and teach youth social/life skills. Since there is little information currently available on use of nicotine replacement in young people, continued research in this arena might also be a useful focus for future work.
Farewell to Fido: Pet Owners’ Commitment and Relinquishment of Companion Animals

The current research predicts commitment and relinquishment of companion animals by applying psychological theory on close relationships. In this novel application to pet owners in general (Study 1) and dog owners specifically (Study 2), commitment and relinquishment intentions were predicted to be a function of owner satisfaction, investment size, and quality of alternative animals. In both studies, pet owners reported their commitment to their animal, satisfaction, investment size, quality of alternative animals, as well as relinquishment intentions. Study 1 revealed that commitment was related to satisfaction and investment size, but not quality of alternative animals. Study 2 revealed that dog owners’ commitment and relinquishment intentions were related to satisfaction, investment size, and quality of alternatives. Implications for animal welfare are discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & CASE STUDY: NERC's Cybersecurity Standards for the Electric Grid: Fulfilling Its Reliability Day Job and Moonlighting as a Cybersecurity Model

The electric industry is experiencing notable changes with the implementation of communication and automation technology, many of which are part of the smart grid movement. Similar to other critical infrastructure industries such as banking, transportation, and the cross-sector critical information infrastructure industry, the electric industry must protect itself from intentional and unintentional security breaches and incidents to ensure uninterrupted operations of essential services. Of the critical infrastructure industries, the electric industry is the only private-sector industry subject to government-enforced mandatory cybersecurity standards. This article presents an overview of the eight mandatory cybersecurity standards by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. As an example of how standards are evolving, it discusses CIP-002 (Critical Cyber Asset Identification) in depth because it establishes whether the remaining seven standards apply. This article then compares the North American Electric Reliability Corporation regulatory framework against critical information infrastructure goals. The comparison finds that, at least on a basic level, the electric industry's mandatory cybersecurity standards meet the critical information infrastructure goals and work to secure information networks, resources, and systems from cyber and physical threats. The mandatory cybersecurity standards promote an increase in technological products, better security management, personnel and public education, and trust in the industry. Even though the electric industry's mandatory standards are imperfect, the fact it satisfies the goals of the cross-sector critical information infrastructure indicates that the framework is sound. The electric industry's experience with mandatory cybersecurity standards is a valuable source of information, and the regulatory framework itself can be a helpful model for other industries looking to develop their own security protection systems.Environmental Practice 13:250–264 (2011)
Postsynaptic Levels of [Ca2+]i Needed to Trigger LTD and LTP

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in CA1 pyramidal neurons are both triggered by a postsynaptic rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). We used photolysis of postsynaptic caged Ca2+ compounds to search for differential thresholds for activation of these processes. Long-lasting potentiation (LLP) resembling LTP, and long-lasting depression (LLD) resembling LTD, were evoked by [Ca2+]i elevations of comparable magnitude and duration in different cells. No distinctions in threshold for these processes were detectable. LLP was occluded by tetanically induced LTP and blocked by calmodulin inhibition, and LLD was occluded by electrically induced LTD and blocked by phosphatase inhibition.
Market structure and payment card pricing: What drives the interchange?

Abstract This paper provides a new theory to explain empirical puzzles regarding payment card interchange fees. Our model departs from the existing two-sided market theories by arguing that the extensive margin of card usage is less important in a mature card market. Instead, we focus on card issuer entry, elastic consumer demand and the role of card transaction value. Our analysis suggests that card networks demand higher interchange fees to maximize member issuers' profits as card payments become more efficient and convenient. At equilibrium, consumer rewards and card transaction values increase with interchange fees, while consumer surplus and merchant profits may not. Based on the theoretical framework, we discuss pros and cons of policy interventions.
Friday the Thirteenth - Love, Commitment, and then Catastrophe: Personal Reflections on the Marriage Equality Movement

On Friday the thirteenth, a day of ominous bad luck for the more superstitious, I got married. Personally, I had hoped that it would push my family to more fully accept my partner. Publicly, I had wishfully imagined that it would serve as a credential that would declare my same-sex love as a legitimate union. As luck would have it, neither would occur in the wake of what was supposed to be more of the most memorable events in my life.
Gastric Carcinoids: Classification and Diagnosis

Gastric carcinoids are a subset of neuroendocrine tumors with a distinct pathogenesis and classification. Overall incidence has been increasing with the growing availability and use of endoscopy. There are three major types of gastric carcinoid. Type I and type II carcinoids are driven by the presence of hypergastrinemia and generally progress with a benign disease course. Type I is associated with type A chronic atrophic gastritis and type II is associated with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. In contrast, type III gastric carcinoids arise sporadically, have a much higher incidence of metastasis, and carry a graver prognosis. As symptoms are frequently nonspecific or minimal, diagnosis is often made incidentally on routine or surveillance endoscopy. Carcinoid syndrome is very rare with these tumors and presents in an atypical manner. The mainstay of treatment is endoscopic removal of small lesions with no evidence of invasion. Aggressive surgical therapy is reserved for larger invasive tumors or patients with type III tumors.
Varicella vaccination guidelines for adolescents and adults.

Varicella is a highly communicable infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Although generally a benign, self-limited disease, varicella infection may be associated with serious complications, especially in older adults and young infants. Live attenuated varicella vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 1995. Assessment of varicella immunity status and vaccination of susceptible persons are desirable in all adolescents and adults. Vaccination guidelines stress a systematic review of several factors: neomycin sensitivity, immunosuppressed status, current health and use of medications (particularly corticosteroids), recent use of immune globulin, risk of pregnancy, lactation status and risk of inadvertent transmission to vulnerable contacts.
Recent Advances in Reforming Catalysis and Adsorption Desulfurization of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels for Fuel Cell Applications

This paper discusses some recent advances in catalytic fuel processing, with emphasis on sulfur-tolerant and carbon-resistant catalysts for low-temperature steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel in our laboratory. Selective adsorption for removing sulfur from liquid fuels using solid adsorbents will be briefly mentioned, along with recent work on non-pyrophoric catalyst for oxygen-assisted water gas shift reaction, H 2 purification, and CO 2 separation for hydrogen production and fuel cell applications.