cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Black Girls’ Recommendations for Healthy Lifestyle Interventions to Address Obesity

Objective This mixed-methods study investigated Black girls' (N = 15) definitions of health and reports on socio-ecological factors that influenced health attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Participants were surveyed about their emotional health, body image, experiences of discrimination, and eating patterns. Methods Directed content analysis was used to identify themes, categories, and capture the depth of information conveyed. The study also used the Nominal Group Technique to elicit recommendations about intervention content, structure, and facilitation of a healthy lifestyle program targeting Black girls. Participants represented various ethnic backgrounds, ranged in age from 14 to 17 years (M = 16), and were in the ninth and 10th grades. Participants also represented a specific sample of Black adolescent girls who are medically categorized as obese. Results Findings indicated that Black girls use an intersectional (race-gender) lens to frame their definitions of health and inform health-related behaviors. Recommendations for obesity interventions targeting Black girls include leveraging time during school to deliver services, intentional selection of program facilitators to include race-gender similarities, and professionals trained to work with adolescents. Additionally, considerations for provider-patient interactions include the use of nonstigmatizing language and direct communication. Conclusion Findings serve to address the paucity of culturally responsive interventions targeting Black girls' health. Implications include enhancement of program retention and sustained engagement to facilitate effective treatment outcomes and address the disparity in the prevalence of obesity. In doing so, there is a potential to reduce health disparities associated with increased weight as Black girls' transition into adulthood.
Serum ECP as a diagnostic marker for asthma in children less than 5 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Currently, there are no clear-cut clinical or laboratory parameters to diagnose asthma in young children. Spirometry or the lung function tests cannot be reliably measured in children less than 5 years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of serum eosinophilic cationic protein (sECP) in diagnosing asthma among children less than 5 years of age. Methods A systematic review was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify studies investigating the role of sECP in diagnosing childhood asthma. The quality of each study was assessed using quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies 2 scale. A meta-analysis was conducted using the RevMan 5.3 application. Results A total of eight studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the systematic review and five studies in the meta-analysis. There was a degree of clinical heterogeneity between studies primarily related to the definition of asthma and the time of assessment of sECP levels. Pooled sensitivity was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66-0.88), pooled specificity was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.54-0.92), and the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 14.73 (95% CI: 3.58-60.58). Conclusion Overall, this review found insufficient evidence to support the role of sECP levels in diagnosing early childhood asthma.
Raman scattering detection of high explosives on human hair

High explosives (HE) represent a high risk to the safety and health of the general population. Therefore, there is an ongoing demand for methods of analysis with limits of detection at trace levels for these hazardous chemicals. Since human hair is one of the main physical attributes of our bodies, the interaction of hair surfaces with HE can be of critical importance in forensic and security applications. Noninvasive in situ approaches such as spectroscopic methods are preferred for elucidating these interactions. Among the spectroscopy-based methodologies, those based on Raman scattering are often favored because the sharpness of the vibrational signals facilitates the precise location of the peak maxima and enables more precise determination of the band shifts due to intermolecular interactions. This preliminary study is based on the detection of the HEs 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) on human hair strands by RS. Raman spectral libraries obtained with a 660-nm laser excitation line were generated for black, bleached, and natural gray hair using direct deposition of PETN, TNT, and RDX. Results obtained were confirmed using portable systems operating at 785 and 1064 nm. Spectral data were preprocessed to correct a high fluorescence background exhibited by the samples due to the indole groups and melanin present in hair. Despite the high fluorescence levels that characterized all the samples, the vibrational signatures that identify the presence of the HEs studied could be detected once the optimum acquisition parameters were established. Among the three hair types studied, gray hair was the best substrate to observe the vibrations of HE crystals on hair. A method limit of detection of 2 ± 1 ng was estimated from image analysis of the HE crystals observed and confirmed as ∼3 ± 1 ng using spectroscopic analysis.
Incomplete Ionization of a 110 meV Unintentional Donor in β-Ga2O3 and its Effect on Power Devices.

Understanding the origin of unintentional doping in Ga2O3 is key to increasing breakdown voltages of Ga2O3 based power devices. Therefore, transport and capacitance spectroscopy studies have been performed to better understand the origin of unintentional doping in Ga2O3. Previously unobserved unintentional donors in commercially available [Formula: see text] Ga2O3 substrates have been electrically characterized via temperature dependent Hall effect measurements up to 1000 K and found to have a donor energy of 110 meV. The existence of the unintentional donor is confirmed by temperature dependent admittance spectroscopy, with an activation energy of 131 meV determined via that technique, in agreement with Hall effect measurements. With the concentration of this donor determined to be in the mid to high 1016 cm-3 range, elimination of this donor from the drift layer of Ga2O3 power electronics devices will be key to pushing the limits of device performance. Indeed, analytical assessment of the specific on-resistance (Ronsp) and breakdown voltage of Schottky diodes containing the 110 meV donor indicates that incomplete ionization increases Ronsp and decreases breakdown voltage as compared to Ga2O3 Schottky diodes containing only the shallow donor. The reduced performance due to incomplete ionization occurs in addition to the usual tradeoff between Ronsp and breakdown voltage.
Clinical assessment of geometric distortion for a 0.35T MR-guided radiotherapy system

PURPOSE To estimate the overall spatial distortion on clinical patient images for a 0.35 T MR-guided radiotherapy system. METHODS Ten patients with head-and-neck cancer underwent CT and MR simulations with identical immobilization. The MR images underwent the standard systematic distortion correction post-processing. The images were rigidly registered and landmark-based analysis was performed by an anatomical expert. Distortion was quantified using Euclidean distance between each landmark pair and tagged by tissue interface: bone-tissue, soft tissue, or air-tissue. For baseline comparisons, an anthropomorphic phantom was imaged and analyzed. RESULTS The average spatial discrepancy between CT and MR landmarks was 1.15 ± 1.14 mm for the phantom and 1.46 ± 1.78 mm for patients. The error histogram peaked at 0-1 mm. 66% of the discrepancies were <2 mm and 51% <1 mm. In the patient data, statistically significant differences (p-values < 0.0001) were found between the different tissue interfaces with averages of 0.88 ± 1.24 mm, 2.01 ± 2.20 mm, and 1.41 ± 1.56 mm for the air/tissue, bone/tissue, and soft tissue, respectively. The distortion generally correlated with the in-plane radial distance from the image center along the longitudinal axis of the MR. CONCLUSION Spatial distortion remains in the MR images after systematic distortion corrections. Although the average errors were relatively small, large distortions observed at bone/tissue interfaces emphasize the need for quantitative methods for assessing and correcting patient-specific spatial distortions.
Application of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method to identify Moraxella spp isolated from cattle eyes

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is an economically significant disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Moraxella bovis. Moraxella bovoculi also secretes virulence factors and is the most frequently isolated species from bovine eyes during IBK outbreaks. Whole genome sequencing has presented extensive genetic differences between M. bovoculi isolated from the eye and nasopharynx (NP) of cattle with and without IBK. At present, distinguishing between Moraxella species in clinical laboratory specimens is time consuming and relies on expensive and complex biochemical testing, of which reactions are not always consistent. Nucleic acid assays (PCR RFLP) can distinguish species, but can be costly and do not work on all strains. Identification of the specific etiologic agent during an IBK outbreak is critical to assist veterinarians implement the proper prevention and treatment strategies. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is an emerging tool in bacterial identification that is rapid, inexpensive, and provides advantages over current identification methods. The overall goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of the MALDITOF MS method as applied to Moraxella spp isolated from bovine eyes and compare it to existing identification methods.
Ethnic and gender divisions in the work force of Russia.

This paper presents preliminary findings from a study of newly available occupational data from the 1989 census detailing ethnic and gender differences in Russia. Measurements are presented showing differences between the occupations of Russians and the next 11 largest ethnic groups, producing a clear hierarchy of groups. The extent of occupational gender differences within each ethnic group is measured and contrasted with the level of differences between ethnic groups. These data are important for showing potential sources of group conflict and for providing a baseline to measure changing forms of inequality that have been promoted by post-Soviet developments. 7 tables, 29 references.
The Roman Revolution of Constantine

The reign of the emperor Constantine (306–337) was as revolutionary for the transformation of Rome's Mediterranean empire as that of Augustus, the first emperor three centuries earlier. The abandonment of Rome signaled the increasing importance of frontier zones in northern and central Europe and the Middle East. The foundation of Constantinople as a new imperial residence and the rise of Greek as the language of administration previewed the establishment of a separate eastern Roman empire. Constantine's patronage of Christianity required both a new theology of the Christian Trinity and a new political image of a Christian emperor. Raymond Van Dam explores and interprets each of these events. His book complements accounts of the role of Christianity by highlighting ideological and cultural aspects of the transition to a post-Roman world.
Comparison of Selected Micronutrient Intakes Between Vegans and Omnivores Using Dietary Reference Intakes

Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 data for 32 participants 25-60 years of age, the aim of this study was to compare vitamin (B12, D) and mineral (calcium, iron, zinc) intakes of vegans (n=16) to intakes of omnivores (n=16), as well as to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), and vegetarian-specific recommendations. The vegan sample was defined using NHANES dietary data and randomly matched to a sample of omnivores. Results showed vegans had significantly lower mean intakes of B12 (p=.020), D (p=.012), and zinc (p=.032) compared to omnivores. Neither groups' mean intake of B12 was lower than the Recommend Dietary Allowance (RDA). Both groups had mean D intakes significantly (p<.001) lower than the RDA. Neither groups' mean intake of zinc differed significantly from the RDA; however, female vegans had a mean zinc intake significantly (p<.001) lower than the vegetarian-specific recommendation. Mean calcium intakes for females (age<51 years) in both groups were significantl...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Homoserine Lactone Triggers Apoptosis and Bak/Bax-Independent Release of Mitochondrial Cytochrome C in Fibroblasts

Summary Pseudomonas aeruginosa use N -(3-oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (C12) as aquorum-sensingmoleculetoregulategeneexpres-sion in the bacteria. It is expected that in patientswith chronic infections with P. aeruginosa , espe-ciallyasbioﬁlms,local[C12]willbehighand,sinceC12islipidsoluble,diffusefromtheairwaysintotheepithelium and underlying ﬁbroblasts, capillaryendothelia and white blood cells. Previous workshowedthatC12hasmultipleeffectsinhumanhostcells,includingactivationofapoptosis.Thepresentwork tested the involvement of Bak and Bax inC12-triggered apoptosis in mouse embryo ﬁbro-blasts (MEF) by comparing MEF isolated fromembryos of wild-type (WT) and Bax −/− /Bak −/− (DKO)mice. In WT MEF C12 rapidly triggered (minutes to2 h): activation of caspases 3/7 and 8, depolariza-tion of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ mito ),release of cytochrome C from mitochondria intothe cytosol, blebbing of plasma membranes,shrinkage/condensation of cells and nuclei and,subsequently, cell killing.ADKO MEF line that wasrelatively unaffected by the Bak/Bax-dependentproapoptotic stimulants staurosporine and eto-poside responded to C12 similarly to WT MEF: acti-vation of caspase 3/7, depolarization of Δψ
The Need for Redistribution of Wealth: Class Counts: Education, Inequality, and the Shrinking Middle Class

The economic crisis that has gripped not only the United States, but the world, for the start of the new century provides an appropriate foreground for Allan Ornstein's consideration of factors of ...
Linkage between microzooplankton grazing and phytoplankton growth in a Gulf of Mexico estuary

Microzooplankton dilution grazing experiments were conducted with water collected from Pensacola Bay, Florida (USA) on 12 dates at 2 sites. Statistically significant grazing rates were observed in 22 of 24 experiments. Grazing rates in Upper Bay and Lower Bay were similar averaging 0.54 and 0.51 d−1, respectively. Phytoplankton growth rates were also similar at the two sites, averaging 1.02 and 1.00 d−1 at Upper Bay and Lower Bay, respectively. Phytoplankton growth rates usually exceeded grazing rates by about a factor of two, though microzooplankton grazing represented a significant mortality for phytoplankton. The literature suggests a linkage between phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing that spans a wide variety of aquatic environments. While individual growth and grazing rates were variable, growth frequently exceeded grazing by about two-fold. This implies that the role of microzooplankton is similar across a wide variety of aquatic systems.
Triviality of monomial Higgs potentials

Abstract The δ expansion method is used to study all scalar field theories with symmetric monomial self-interactions of the form ( φ 2 ) p in four dimensions. With a momentum cut-off Λ it is shown that these theories are all distinct, admit spontaneous symmetry breaking, and have a nonperturbative structure in the coupling constant λ. In the limit that the momentum cut-off is taken to infinity, it is shown that the δ expansion of all these theories degenerates to the renormalized expansion of a single theory independent of p . That expansion is the renormalized weak-coupling expansion of λφ 4 . It is argued that all theories of this class are the same in the limit Λ → ∞. This universal behavior of all monomial interactions with the discrete symmetry φ → − φ is interpreted as a strong indication that all such theories are free, as λφ 4 is believed to be.
Physiological changes in hairless mice maintained on an antioxidant supplemented diet

Several physiological parameters were measured in hairless mice maintained on a diet supplemented with antioxidants. Comparisons to animals on control diet revealed higher water-soluble antioxidant content of skin and increased liver weight. Only small differences in body weight occurred and no distinct histological changes were observed in skin or liver.
Measurement of Surface Area of 3‐D Body Scans to Assess the Effectiveness of Hats for Sun Protection

Three-dimensional (3-D) body scans of golfers in active positions were used to generate a simulation of UV exposure by projecting a cone from the brims of a selection of five hat styles with different brim designs onto the body from two sun angles. From these scans, researchers measured the total body area that would be protected from UV exposure by calculating the surface area shadowed by the hat brims. Objective measurement data can provide valuable measures of protection to help the designer create attractive and functional hats and clothing for sun protection. The 3-D scanner is an important new tool for designers that allow visualization and manipulation of 3-D images and sophisticated image measurement and analyses.
Abstract 1372: The methylome of ER-negative tumors is predominantly hypermethylated

The biological significance of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene expression and its role in cancer is increasingly recognized. The underlying hypothesis of this study is that strategic global approaches will identify aberrantly methylated genes that underlie the pathogenesis of ER-negative (ER-) breast cancer (BC). We used the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to profile the methylome of ER- breast cancers to determine differentially methylated genes. The 450K array includes 485,577 cytosine positions of the human genome. Whole genomic DNA from 40 primary ER-, 40 ER positive (ER+), and 40 normal breast tissue samples were assayed for genome-wide methylation. Data were analyzed by GenomeStudio software (Illumina). Degree of methylation was calculated as a β-value (ranging from 0 to 1) and M-values [log (β/ (1- β)] were used for significance tests. With 30 sets of paired tumor/normal tissue, GEE was performed to account for their correlation. To identify methylated genes associated with ER- subtypes and distinct from ER+, a 3-tiered approach to call out genes in which methylation changed dramatically between ER+ and ER- subtypes was used. Tier 1: computed adjusted FDR values for all CpGs/ (or their averages for each gene) to be 0.05 or lower. Tier 2: the CpGs/genes to include genes with a 2-fold change (ratio >= 2.0 or ratio 0.2. Differentially methylated genes (DMGs) at tier 3 for the different comparison groups were as follows: all BC (n=80) vs normal (n=40): 1070 DMGs: 1001: hypermethylated, 69: hypemethylated; ER+ vs normal: 1720: 1518 hyper, 202 hypo; ER- vs normal: 1170, 1085 hyper, 85 hypo; ER- vs ER+ vs: 289, 191 hyper, 97 hypomethylated. Overall, ER- BC tumors were more hypermethylated than hypomethylated when compared to normal breast tissue and ER+ BC. Estrogen receptor-negative BC is a more aggressive form than ER positive BC with approximately double the incidence in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans. The emerging differential methylation pattern would further help stratify them into distinct subgroups. Promotor methylation being potentially reversible, methylated genes may serve as future molecular targets for demethylating therapies. Support: Komen Foundation: KG110218 Citation Format: Maria J. Worsham, Dhananjay Chitale, Kang Mei Chen, George Divine. The methylome of ER-negative tumors is predominantly hypermethylated. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1372. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1372
CHANGES IN THE GOLGI APPARATUS OF THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN THE RAT FOLLOWING GLUCOSE AND INSULIN ADMINISTRATION1

The appearance of the Golgi apparatus of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the rat was studied with a view to finding a better histological criterion of activity than those now available. The Golgi apparatus of the beta cell is clearly distinguishable from that of the alpha cell, since the former is much larger and more elaborate, while the latter is very small and compact. Maintenance of elevated blood glucose levels for 4 hours resulted in an increase in the size and intricacy of the beta cell Golgi apparatus, while at 12 hours the change was even more marked. Attention was then turned to the alpha cells to see if maintenance of hypoglycemia, said to be a stimulus to glucagon release, would produce alterations of their Golgi bodies. Insulin was infused continuously intravenously, resulting in blood glucose levels of 15–30 mg.% over at least a 4-hour period. In spite of the marked hypoglycemia, no changes in the Golgi
Shock layer theory and concentration dependence of the axial dispersion and the mass-transfer rate coefficients

Independent determinations of the coefficients of axial dispersion and of the mass-transfer kinetics have been found to be concentration dependent in protein chromatography. The consequences of this observation are studied on a theoretical basis. Numerical calculations of breakthrough curves were carried out, assuming a linear dependence of these coefficients on the solute concentration. The results obtained illustrate the influence of the concentration dependence on chromatographic band profiles. The classical shock layer theory, which assumes constant coefficients, was extended to the case in which they depend linearly on the concentration. The analytical solution of the shock layer profile agrees with all the results of the numerical calculations. Consideration of the shock layer thickness provides an easy access to the kinetic information contained in the breakthrough profiles.
Repressed inflation and pseudoinnovations

Abstract Innovation was and still is the catalyst of the market-oriented economy. More than seventy years ago, it was Joseph A. Schumpeter who made innovation the centerpiece of a developing economy. Schumpeter's innovations took six specific forms: producing new commodities, organizing technological change in the production of commodities already in existence, opening up of new markets, discovering new sources of raw materials, standardizing work and improving handling of materials, and setting up new management organization, i.e., breaking up an existing monopoly or setting up a new one. Schumpeter's innovators produced socially useful goods. By carrying out all of these innovations, singly or in combination, the innovator earns much more than the normal profits, although this high profit is not permanent. If, however, market forces become suspended and direct controls take over, conditions of repressed inflation prevail. In such conditions, people have money in the pockets but no coupons to buy real goods. In such spending-happy conditions, another type of innovator made his appearance in occupied West Germany between 1945 and 1948 and in Israel between 1949 and 1951, producing low-utility or marginally useful items. In occupied West Germany, for example, there was a veritable flood of such “new” commodities — ashtrays, fancy lamps, dolls, chandeliers, wall and ceiling decorations - which had not been produced before World War II because of the low utility of such items. The German and Israeli “pseudoinnovators” circumvented the existing price regulations and made a lot of money in the process. Schumpeter, for some reason, overlooked this pseudoinnovator operating in conditions of repressed inflation. He may have been a captive of the idea that repressed inflation in a capitalist economy would inevitably lead to the euthanasia of the entrepreneur.
Atomic-scale mechanisms for surfactant-mediated layer-by-layer growth in homoepitaxy.

Atomic-scale mechanisms for surfactant-mediated layer-by-layer growth in homoepitaxy are investigated theoretically. Starting with minimal assumptions on relative bond strengths, we demonstrate that four possible mechanisms can be operative in enhancing layered growth: (1) a high density of islands at the initial growth stage of each layer, (2) a reduced activation barrier for atoms to cross steps, (3) incorporation into a growing island, and (4) an effective increase in the migration rate on top of the island. We assess the relative importance of these processes by computer simulations.
Implementing an evidence-based preventive intervention in neighborhood family centers: examination of perceived barriers to program participation.

This study examined parents’ perceived barriers to participation in a multicomponent prevention program implemented by a community agency serving culturally diverse urban neighborhoods. The Early Risers Participation Interview (ER-PI), modeled after Kadzin et al.'s (1997) Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale, was administered to parents (N=138) of children who were screened for disruptive behavior and were randomized into a two-year intervention condition. Results showed that the perceived barriers score provided significant information in differentiating low and high participators after controlling for child, parent, and family characteristics. Early identification and resolution of parents’ perceived barriers to participation may be key to implementing multifaceted preventive programs successfully in inner-city neighborhoods. Editor's Strategic Implications: The authors present promising practices for client engagement and retention. The experimental, longitudinal design is notable, especially in the evaluation of a community-run prevention program.
Type I interferon suppresses de novo virus-specific CD4 Th1 immunity during an established persistent viral infection

CD4 T cells are central to orchestrate, sustain, and potentially regenerate antiviral immunity throughout persistent viral infections. Although the evolving immune environment during persistent infection reshapes established CD4 T-cell responses, the fate of naive CD4 T cells primed in the midst of persistent infection is unclear. We demonstrate that, in marked contrast to the onset of infection, virus-specific CD4 T cells primed during an established persistent infection have diminished ability to develop Th1 responses, to efficiently accumulate in peripheral tissues, and almost exclusively differentiate into T follicular helper cells. Consistent with suppressed Th1 and heightened Tfh differentiation, virus-specific CD4 T cells primed during the established persistent infection provide help to B cells, but only limited help to CD8 T cells. The suppression of de novo Th1 generation and tissue distribution was mediated by chronic type I IFN (IFN-I) production and was effectively restored by blocking IFN-I signaling during CD4 T-cell priming. Thus, we establish a suppressive function of chronic IFN-I signaling and mechanism of immunoregulation during an established persistent virus infection.
Modeling system of systems acquisition

System of systems (SoS) acquisition is a dynamic process of integrating independent systems. This paper describes modeling of the SoS acquisition environment based on the Wave Process Model. Agent-based modeling methodology is utilized to abstract behavioral aspects of the acquisition process.
Interaction of Bupropion with 5-HT3A Receptors

For more than two decades, bupropion has been clinically prescribed for the treatment of depression (Wellbutrin®), and more recently for smoking cessation (Zyban®). Bupropion is conventionally described as a dual norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibitor, therefore effective as an antidepressant. However, we and others have shown that it also interacts with receptors of the Cys-loop superfamily, namely neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In the continuum of exploring the molecular interactions of bupropion with other prominent members of the Cys-loop superfamily, we report here that bupropion additionally inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) type 3A receptors (5-HT3ARs).5-HT3ARs are cation-conducting, homo-pentameric ligand-gated ion channels of the Cys-loop superfamily which are structurally and functionally distinct from other serotonin receptors that are G-proteins. 5-HT3 receptors are current targets for anti-emetics mainly used in cancer chemotherapy, as well as potential future targets for disorders including anxiety, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.Here we characterized our newly-identified interaction of bupropion with 5-HT3ARs with electrophysiological and radioligand binding studies. In oocytes, bupropion inhibited 5-HT3AR-mediated currents with an IC50 value of 87 µM (nH = 1.2). That 300 µM bupropion inhibited [3H]-5-HT or [3H]-granisetron (a competitive antagonist) binding by ∼ 20% indicated at best weak interaction with the agonist binding site. In contrast, the effect of different concentrations of bupropion on serotonin concentration-response curves suggested a non-competitive nature of interaction. Along these lines, importantly, the inhibition of serotonin-evoked currents recorded from oocytes was proportional to the length of preincubation time with bupropion.In summary, our results are indicative of a negative allosteric interaction of bupropion with the 5-HT3AR. Currently, experiments are underway to identify the site(s) of interaction for bupropion within the 5- HT3AR.
Implications of a Negative Income Tax for Rural People

THE effects of a negative income tax on rural people are largely unknown. A program based on the negative tax provides a maximum payment to families with zero or negative earnings and specifies a tax rate at which the payments are reduced as earnings move upward from zero. These two features will individually and in combination affect many aspects of household and business behavior. One can identify and hypothesize the likely directions of many of these effects, as I shall do later, but it is difficult if not impossible to predict the magnitudes of these changes from available secondary data.1 It is for this reason that we now have four separate negative income tax experiments, in various stages of operation, in the United States: one among urban families in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to end this coming year; a rural experiment in North Carolina and Iowa, in operation for 19 months; and two other urban experiments, just beginning, in Gary and in Seattle and Den-
Urinary continence after radical prostatectomy: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Predicting the time to recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy remains an impossible task. The causes for the challenge are the multifactorial nature of incontinence after postprostatectomy, involving preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors, some of which have been studied at length and others not studied thoroughly [1,2]. Preoperatively, the patient’s age, urinary function, detrusor status, prostate size, bladder capacity, and compliance are either known or still hypothetical factors affecting postoperative urinary continence. Intraoperatively, the surgical technique and the degree of preservation of the neurovascular bundles have been shown as independent predictors of long-term urinary continence [2]. Postoperatively, the most striking factor is the literature’s lack of uniformity in defining, assessing, and reporting urinary continence, which may explain in part the wide variability of results [3]. The definition of urinary continence used, the methodology by which the data are obtained and analyzed, and the time of assessment need to be considered when interpreting the results; otherwise any comparative analysis between series remains totally meaningless. This lack of standardization hinders the understanding of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy and adds to its complexity. The paper by Rocco and colleagues in this issue of European Urology reports on the impact of a surgical
Building a game development program

Game development is an interdisciplinary field requiring some appreciation for both the technical and creative, with a deep passion in at least one area. Two new game development majors are built upon a four-way partnership between computer science, digital media studies, electronic media arts design, and studio art. In 2004, the University of Denver began offering majors in game development, with research and scholarship directed toward "humane gaming," a term that includes medical and educational game applications and socially conscious gaming. As academics participating in the birth of a new discipline that has significant social impact, we have a stewardship responsibility and an opportunity to explore benevolent game applications as well as to make game development more inclusive of women and under-represented populations
Hybrid wireless hull monitoring system for naval combat vessels

There is increasing interest by the naval engineering community in permanent monitoring systems that can monitor the structural behaviour of ships during their operation at sea. This study seeks to reduce the cost and installation complexity of hull monitoring systems by introducing wireless sensors into their architectural designs. Wireless sensor networks also provide other advantages over their cable-based counterparts such as adaptability, redundancy, and weight savings. While wireless sensors can enhance functionality and reduce cost, the compartmentalised layout of most ships requires some wired networking to communicate data globally throughout the ship. In this study, 20 wireless sensing nodes are connected to a ship-wide fibre-optic data network to serve as a hybrid wireless hull monitoring system on a high-speed littoral combat vessel (FSF-1 Sea Fighter). The wireless hull monitoring system is used to collect acceleration and strain data during unattended operation during a one-month period at s...
Adequacy of extraction techniques for determination of folate in foods and other biological materials

Abstract Accuracy in the determination of folate is dependent, in part, on the completeness of extraction of folates from the sample matrix and their stability during extraction. In this study, the merits of extraction procedures employing acetate buffer (50 mM ascorbate, pH 4.9) ( Gregory et al., 1984 , J. Nutr. 114: 341–353), phosphate (50 mM ascorbate, pH 7.0), or mixed Hepes/Ches buffers (101 mM ascorbate and 200 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, pH 7.85) ( Wilson and Horne, 1984 , Anal. Biochem. 142: 529–535) were evaluated. In a preliminary experiment, the pH of the buffer (pH 4.9 vs 7.0) did not consistently affect the recovery of radiolabeled mono- and polyglutamyl folates added to various food homogenates. However, radiolabeled folates from the livers of rats previously dosed with [3H]folate were more effectively extracted at pH 7.0 and 7.85 than at 4.9. Microbiological assay of total folate in beef liver and green peas extracted with pH 4.9, 7.0, or 7.85 buffers indicated the superiority of the pH 7.85 buffer. In all experiments, the completeness of extraction was improved when the residue from the first extraction was suspended in a new portion of buffer and recentrifuged. These results support the superiority of the Wilson and Horne extraction buffer and indicate the need for a second extraction in the analysis of many foods and other biological materials.
203 The Mosaic Project: Ethical Decision-Making Policies of European Maternity and Neonatal Units

Introduction: In the project Models of OrganiSing Access to Intensive Care for very preterm births in Europe (MOSAIC), the maternity and neonatal units policies towards ethical decision-making were explored. (1)
Identifying and addressing land governance constraints to support intensification and land market operation: Evidence from 10 African countries ☆

Beyond concerns about agricultural productivity growth, issues of land governance have attracted global interest as demand for land acquisition by outsiders has increased rapidly but most of the transfers failed to live up to expectations and instead disrupted local livelihoods. We use the land governance assessment framework to identify key conceptual issues and identify how land governance in 10 African countries compares to global good practice. Results point towards weak protection of rights in practice, large gaps in female land access, and limited outreach and effectiveness of institutions to record rights and adjudicate disputes. We note that programs to improve performance along these lines had significant impact in other contexts, suggesting that efforts to improve land governance will be warranted and should be closely monitored and evaluated in an effort to identify models suited to African conditions and assess their impact and interaction with other factor markets.
Personal Space Violations as A Function of Height

Summary Ninety-one male and female adults, who were walking in the corridor of a commuter train station situated in a large metropolitan area of the United States, were given the option of violating the personal space of either a tall or short male confederate (C). In a similar manner, 91 additional male and female adults could violate the personal space of either a tall or short female C. The results showed that the commuters significantly preferred to intrude into the short, rather than the tall, Cs' spaces. This discrimination occurred for both male and female Cs. Also, female commuters invaded the space of the short Cs significantly more frequently than did the male commuters.
A chemical process producing a continuous laser amplifier in the visible region

Abstract In a study of the reaction dynamics of the Na3-X (Cl, Br, I) metatheses, Na2* is formed in several excited electronic states, the fluorescence from these states resembling in some respects that characteristic of optically pumped alkali dimer lasers. Optical gain through stimulated emission demonstrates population inversion involving several excited state levels of Na2 and hence an amplifying medium for a visible chemical laser. A maximum laser gain of 1% of the input laser power has been observed at 5270 A, corresponding to a gain coefficient of ≈ 2 × 10−3 cm−1. An explanation is provided for this efficient inversion process and comparisons are made with optically pumped laser systems.
Stress Analysis of a High Temperature Heat Exchanger Used in an Advanced Nuclear Reactor

This paper presents the stress analysis of the offset strip-fin type compact high temperature heat exchanger for use in the cooling cycle of an advanced nuclear reactor for hydrogen production by the sulfur iodine thermo-chemical cycle. Three different geometry types of heat exchangers were considered: geometry with rectangular fins; geometry with rounded fins and geometry with rounded fins which include manufacturing geometrical effects (fins with roundings on their bases). The material of the heat exchanger is liquid silicon impregnated carbon composite. The two working fluids for the heat exchanger are helium gas and molten salt with maximum temperature about 1000°C. The finite element code ANSYS 9.0 was used for the simulations. The boundary conditions for temperature and pressure were obtained as results of CFD and heat transfer calculations of the heat exchanger using the finite volume code FLUENT 6.1.18 The obtained results will be used for further optimization of the high temperature heat exchanger geometry.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Real space renormalisation theory of self-avoiding walks on a Manhattan lattice

The real space renormalisation group theory is applied to the self-avoiding walk (SAW) problem on a two-dimensional oriented lattice known as the Manhattan lattice. A finite lattice renormalisation transformation is used to calculate the connectivity constant mu and the size exponent nu . A more general SAW model is defined that contains the oriented and nonoriented lattice problems as special cases. A renormalisation group analysis of this model provides evidence that the SAW on the Manhattan lattice is the same universality class as the ordinary nonoriented SAW problem.
Fatty acid profiles of cells from the insect cell line IPRL-21 (Spodoptera frugiperda) and of the tissue culture medium after repeated use.

When IPL-1 medium was used for three serial incubations of cells of the IPRL-21 insect cell line (Spodoptera frugiperda, J. E. Smith) at least 23 fatty acids were identified from the media and/or from the cells. During the first incubation only negligible changes occurred in the total fatty acid content of the medium, but after the second and third incubations the total content decreased. Seven of the 23 fatty acids (palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids) comprised 92% of the total fatty acid content, but the specific concentrations varied after each 7-day incubation. During the first incubation, the concentration of the monoene fatty acids increased, and the concentration of the more highly unsaturated fatty acids decreased. During the second and third serial incubations, the specific concentrations of all fatty acids decreased, with the exception of palmitoleic acid. These changes in the total fatty acid content and in the specific concentration of individual fatty acids in the cell indicated uptake of fatty acids from the medium and/or cellular lipid biosynthesis. The fatty acid content of the cells differed during the active growth phase and the stationary phase.
342. RUNX1 Increases Proliferation of Embryoid Bodies Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

RUNX1 is an essential gene for mouse hematopoietic development. Mouse knockout models for RUNX1 or its binding partner, core binding factor |[beta]| (CBF|[beta]|), are embryonic lethal and lack definitive hematopoiesis. CBF|[beta]|-SMMHC (INV), encoded by the inv(16) chromosomal translocation in approximately 8% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, is a fusion protein comprising of CBF|[beta]| and the rod domain of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC). INV inhibits the expression of RUNX1-regulated genes, by sequestering RUNX1 and by directly repressing RUNX1- regulated genes. Recently, we reported that dominant inhibition of endogenous RUNX1 by lentivector-expressed INV inhibited proliferation of human and mouse myeloid progenitors. Conditional exogenous expression of RUNX1 using an estrogen receptor lentivector system in mouse primary HSPCs, resulted in increased proliferation [D'Costa, 2005]. Although RUNX1 is established as a key regulator of hematopoietic development in the mouse embryo, its role in human hematopoietic development has not been extensively studied for lack of an appropriate model. The availability of several human embryonic stem cell (HESC) lines provides a potential new system with demonstrated utility for the study of human embryonic hematopoiesis.
Effects of cues associated with meal interruption on feeding behavior

Food consumption is controlled by both internal and external factors. Environmental signals associated with food may prepare an animal to forage, consume and digest more effectively. Furthermore, environmental cues that provide information about food availability enable animals to make predictions about future food resources and act upon that knowledge in appropriate fashion. For example, when exposed to a cue that signals the presence of food, animals can eat beyond their present needs to cope with predicted future famine. Interestingly, cues previously paired with meal interruption have a similar effect. In two experiments, food-deprived rats learned to associate one conditioned stimulus (CS+) with delivery of a food unconditioned stimulus (US), and another stimulus (IS) with an unexpected termination of CS-US trials. Subsequently, both CS+ and IS enhanced consumption of the US food by sated rats. The results of Experiment 2 indicated that IS's ability to potentiate feeding of sated rats in test depended more on its accompanying CS+ termination in training than on its signaling reductions in US frequency. These experiments may provide a novel animal model of binge-like behaviors in sated rats induced by external cues paired with meal interruption.
Applications of optimal control theory in aerospace engineering.

O the past 25 years a great body of knowledge has been built up on the subject of feedback control of linear, time-invariant dynamic systems. This knowledge plays an important role in our technology, and engineering schools recognize this fact by teaching courses in this area. However, many dynamic systems, particularly aerospace systems, are nonlinear and/or time-varying, and the techniques for analysis and design of linear, time-invariant control systems are, in general, not applicable to these more complicated systems. The appearance of practical, high-speed digital computers in the 1950's provided an essential tool for dealing with nonlinear and time-varying systems. Engineers were quick to take advantage of them to do extensive cut-and-try design work on paper instead of doing it in the development laboratory or on the test range. In many instances, particularly when designing guidance and control systems, it became clear that a more systematic approach was desirable. This led to a renewed interest in an old subject, the calculus of variations," and to the discovery of an interesting extension of this subject, dynamic programming.' The application of these techniques to deterministic, nonlinear, and timevarying systems forms the first part of this lecture. The computer also made possible rapid data-processing, sometimes almost simultaneous with the generation of the data. This stimulated a re-assessment of techniques for filtering and smoothing noisy measurements. An idea that seems to have been used by Gauss in determining orbits of the planets was rediscovered about 1960 and is now gaining wide acceptance, namely recursive maximum likelihood filtering.The increased cost of testing complicated control systems also led to a requirement for better predictions of reliability and accuracy. This requirement is strongly related to the response of the control system to random fluctuations in the environment and random errors in the measurement system. The second part of this paper is concerned with these latter topics, culminating in a discussion of the design of optimum logical structures for guid-
Building Library Community Through Social Media

In this article academic librarians present and analyze a model for community building through social media. Findings demonstrate the importance of strategy and interactivity via social media for generating new connections with library users. Details of this research include successful guidelines for building community and developing engagement online with social media. By applying intentional social media practices, the researchers’ Twitter user community grew 100 percent in one year, with a corresponding 275 percent increase in user interactions. Using a community analysis approach, this research demonstrates that the principles of personality and interactivity can lead to community formation for targeted user groups. Discussion includes the strategies and research approaches that were employed to build, study, and understand user community, including user type analysis and action-object mapping. From this research a picture of the library as a member of an active academic community comes into focus.