cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression in Coffee

Coffee is cultivated in more than 70 countries of the intertropical belt where it has important economic, social and environmental impacts. As for many other crops, the development of molecular biology technics allowed to launch research projects for coffee analyzing gene expression. In the 90s decade, the first expression studies were performed by Northern-blot or PCR, and focused on genes coding enzymes of the main compounds (e.g., storage proteins, sugars, complex polysaccharides, caffeine and chlorogenic acids) found in green beans. Few years after, the development of 454 pyrosequencing technics generated expressed sequence tags (ESTs) obviously from beans but also from other organs (e.g., leaves and roots) of the two main cultivated coffee species, Coffea arabica and C. canephora. Together with the use of real-time quantitative PCR, these ESTs significantly raised the number of coffee gene expression studies leading to the identification of (1) key genes of biochemical pathways, (2) candidate genes involved in biotic and abiotic stresses as well as (3) molecular markers essential to assess the genetic diversity of the Coffea genus, for example. The development of more recent Illumina sequencing technology now allows large-scale transcriptome analysis in coffee plants and opens the way to analyze the effects on gene expression of complex biological processes like genotype and environment interactions, heterosis and gene regulation in polypoid context like in C. arabica. The aim of the present review is to make an extensive list of coffee genes studied and also to perform an inventory of large-scale sequencing (RNAseq) projects already done or on-going.
Marketing to the foodshed: Why do farmers participate in local food systems?

Abstract The concept of embeddedness has long been central to theory about why farmers participate in local food systems. Yet few survey-based studies, and none using a representative sample of farmers who both do and do not market local food, have systematically examined the relationship of local food marketing to farmers’ sense of connection to and responsibility for larger human and ecological communities. In this paper, we address this gap in the literature by drawing on stratified, random sample survey data on 698 specialty crop growers in Michigan and Ohio. Two main findings emerge from our study. First, farmers who prioritize civic engagement and community institutions were more likely to market food through CSA, direct-to-institution and farm-to-table partnerships, and intermediaries like food hubs. Many were also earning revenue from on-farm sales, farmers markets, and mainstream sources. Results of analysis clearly show, however, that it is CSA and intermediated local supply chains that hold special appeal for, or are particularly well suited to, farmers who make farm decisions with the larger community in mind. This finding suggests that diversified, robust local food systems may provide strong support for farmers who are especially committed to making a positive impact on local politics and civic life. Second, farmers with a relatively strong sense of environmental responsibility were generally not more likely to participate in local food systems. At a minimum, this finding lends credence to skepticism that local food farmers can be considered a priori more likely to adhere to organic, biodynamic, or other sustainable farming philosophies. At the same time, farmers who express a less productivist approach to farming were more likely to market local food in nearly every way. Productivism has historically been associated with heavy reliance on external inputs to manage pests and supply nutrients. Findings about productivism arguably constitute good reason to explore further the environmental aspects of local food systems, even in the absence of a clear relationship between environmental values and marketing local food.
High thermal conductivity and thermal boundary conductance of homoepitaxially grown gallium nitride (GaN) thin films

Gallium nitride (GaN) has emerged as a quintessential wide band-gap semiconductor for an array of high-power and high-frequency electronic devices. The phonon thermal resistances that arise in GaN thin films can result in detrimental performances in these applications. In this work, we report on the thermal conductivity of submicrometer and micrometer thick homoepitaxial GaN films grown via two different techniques (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy) and measured via two different techniques (time domain thermoreflectance and steady-state thermoreflectance). When unintentionally doped, these homoepitaxial GaN films possess higher thermal conductivities than other heteroepitaxially grown GaN films of equivalent thicknesses reported in the literature. When doped, the thermal conductivities of the GaN films decrease substantially due to phonon-dopant scattering, which reveals that the major source of phonon thermal resistance in homoepitaxially grown GaN films can arise from doping. Our temperature-dependent thermal conductivity measurements reveal that below 200 K, scattering with the defects and GaN/GaN interface limits the thermal transport of the unintentionally doped homoepitaxial GaN films. Further, we demonstrate the ability to achieve the highest reported thermal boundary conductance at metal/GaN interfaces through in situ deposition of aluminum in ultrahigh vacuum during molecular beam epitaxy growth of the GaN films. Our results inform the development of low thermal resistance GaN films and interfaces by furthering the understanding of phonon scattering processes that impact the thermal transport in homoepitaxially grown GaN.
Effect of Strength Training on Jump-Landing Biomechanics in Adolescent Females.

BACKGROUND Sex-based differences in neuromuscular characteristics relevant to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk may arise as compensation for divergent strength development during puberty. Strength training during this period may prevent the development of these undesirable neuromuscular characteristics. HYPOTHESIS Strength-trained middle school girls will have improved jump-landing biomechanics compared with control participants. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. METHODS Maximum voluntary isometric contraction in hip extension and abduction and knee extension and flexion as well as Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores were collected for healthy female middle school students of grades 6 to 8. Strength-training participants (STR: N = 30; height, 1.63 ± 0.07 m; mass, 48.1 ± 7.6 kg; age, 12.5 ± 1.0 y) were matched with control participants (CON: N = 30; height, 1.60 ± 0.09 m; mass, 47.2 ± 8.9 kg; age, 12.6 ± 0.9 y). The training consisted of a 6-month strength-training program administered through a gym class curriculum that targeted the lower extremity. A repeated-measures mixed-model analysis of variance was used for comparisons between groups and across time (α = 0.05). Stepwise linear regression was used to examine the relationship between strength change and LESS score change. RESULTS Strength values (N·m/kg) increased across time and to a greater degree in STR for hip extension (baseline 3.98 ± 1.15 vs follow-up 4.77 ± 1.80), hip abduction (4.22 ± 1.09 vs 5.13 ± 2.55), and knee flexion (3.27 ± 0.62 vs 3.64 ± 1.40) compared with CON. LESS grades significantly decreased across time in STR (5.58 ± 1.21 vs 4.86 ± 1.44) and were significantly lower than CON (5.98 ± 1.42) at follow-up (P < 0.001). The change in hip extension and knee extension strength explained 67% of the variance (P < 0.001) in the LESS change score in the STR group. CONCLUSION A school-based strength-training program that focused on hip and knee musculature significantly improved jump-landing biomechanics (as determined by LESS) relevant to ACL injury risk. Further investigation using different strength-training approaches in this age group is warranted. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Strength training during adolescence holds promise as an injury prevention program. The use of a school-based approach is novel and may represent a robust opportunity for injury prevention programs, as physical education class is often mandatory in this age group.
AICAR stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and BCAA catabolic enzyme expression in C2C12 myotubes.

Abstract Type 2 diabetes is characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity, elevated blood metabolites, and reduced mitochondrial metabolism. Insulin resistant populations often exhibit reduced expression of genes governing mitochondrial metabolism such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Interestingly, PGC-1α regulates the expression of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, and thus, the consistently observed increased circulating levels of BCAA in diabetics may be partially explained by reduced PGC-1α expression. Conversely, PGC-1α upregulation appears to increase BCAA catabolism. PGC-1α activity is regulated by 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), however, only limited experimental data exists on the effect of AMPK activation in the regulation of BCAA catabolism. The present report examined the effects of the commonly used AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) on the metabolism and expression of several related targets (including BCAA catabolic enzymes) of cultured myotubes. C2C12 myotubes were treated with AICAR at 1 mM for up to 24 h. Mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism were measured via oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate, respectively. Metabolic gene and protein expression were assessed via qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. AICAR treatment significantly increased mitochondrial content and peak mitochondrial capacity. AICAR treatment also increased AMPK activation and mRNA expression of several regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis but reduced glycolytic metabolism and mRNA expression of several glycolytic enzymes. Interestingly, branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase a (BCKDHa) protein was significantly increased following AICAR-treatment suggesting increased overall BCAA catabolic capacity in AICAR-treated cells. Together, these experiments demonstrate AICAR/AMPK activation can upregulate BCAA catabolic machinery in a model of skeletal muscle.
The Making of Racial Sentiment: Slavery and the Birth of The Frontier Romance

The frontier romance, an enormously popular genre of American fiction born in the 1820s, helped redefine 'race' for an emerging national culture. The novels of James Fenimore Cooper, Lydia Maria Child, Catharine Maria Sedgwick and others described the 'races' in terms of emotional rather than physical characteristics. By doing so they produced the idea of 'racial sentiment': the notion that different races feel different things, and feel things differently. Ezra Tawil argues that the novel of white-Indian conflict provided authors and readers with an apt analogy for the problem of slavery. By uncovering the sentimental aspects of the frontier romance, Tawil redraws the lines of influence between the 'Indian novel' of the 1820s and the sentimental novel of slavery, demonstrating how Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin ought to be reconsidered in this light. This study reveals how American literature of the 1820s helped form modern ideas about racial differences.
Variability and potential sources of summer PM2.5 in the Northeastern United States

Abstract The variability of ground-level concentrations of fine suspended particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Northeastern United States is examined using observed PM2.5 from multiple data networks together with output from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Aerosol Reanalysis (MERRAero). The long-term variations as well as the occurrence of short-term high-concentration episodes in the region are investigated for the period 1999–2013. This analysis shows that over this period there has been a significant decrease in summer-mean PM2.5. A decrease in the occurrence and magnitude of high-PM2.5 events in the Northeastern U.S. region is also observed. The potential sources of PM2.5 are analyzed using MERRAero aerosol optical depth for two of the main components of the pollutant: organic carbon and ammonium sulfate. The analysis indicates that high-PM2.5 events in the Northeastern U.S. are, generally, the result of long range transport of smoke from large boreal wildfires, Midwestern industrial emissions, or a combination of both. There are roughly equal numbers of events due to natural or anthropogenic sources for the 2002–2012 period for this region. The events that have an anthropogenic source are characterized by a strong high pressure system in the Southern U.S. that cause aerosols to be advected from the Midwest into the Northeastern U.S. The meteorology related to wildfire events is more variable, consistent with the varied locations of the fires that cause aerosol events in the Northeastern U.S.
An intermediate-complexity model for simulating marine biogeochemistry in deep time: Validation against the modern global ocean

We present a new high-resolution 1-D intermediate-complexity box model (ICBM) of ocean biogeochemical processes for paleoceanographic applications. The model contains 79 reservoirs in three regions that should be generally applicable throughout much of Earth history: (1) a stratified gyre region, (2) a high-latitude convective region, and (3) an upwelling region analogous to those found associated with eastern boundary currents. Transport processes are modeled as exchange fluxes between boxes and by eddy diffusion terms. Significant improvement in the representation of middepth oxygen budgets was achieved by implementing nonlocal mixing between the high-latitude surface and gyre thermocline reservoirs. The biogeochemical submodel simulates coupled C, N, P, O, and S systematics with explicit representation of microbial populations, using a process-based approach. Primary production follows Redfield stoichiometry, while water column remineralization is depth- and redox couple–dependent. Settling particulate organic matter is incorporated into a benthic submodel that accounts for burial and remineralization. The C/P ratio of burial depends on bottom water oxygen. Denitrification takes place both by classical and anammox pathways. The ICBM was tested against modern oceanographic observations from the Global Ocean Data Analysis Project, Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, and other databases. Comparisons of model output with circulation tracers including θ, salinity, CFC-12, and radiocarbon permit a test of the physical exchange scheme. Vertical profiles of biogeochemically reactive components in each of the three regions are in good agreement with observations. Under modern conditions the upwelling zone displays a pronounced oxygen minimum zone and water column denitrification, while these are not present in the high-latitude or gyre regions. Model-generated global fluxes also compare well to independent estimates of primary production, burial, and phosphorous and nitrogen cycling. The ICBM appears to adequately simulate the long-term (kyr) evolution of several biogeochemical cycles and improves on previous box models in several important ways. In a companion paper, the model's performance under euxinic conditions is tested against modern Black Sea data. The simple and adaptable structure of the model should make it applicable to a wide range of paleoceanographic problems. The model source code is available in MATLABTM 7 m-files provided as auxiliary material.
Purification of Five Leucine Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Species from Escherichia coli and Their Acylation by Heterologous Leucyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase

Abstract Escherichia coli tRNA has been fractionated on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose to yield five purified tRNAleu species. They differ in chromatographic behavior and in coding properties. These tRNAleu species are all charged by pure E. coli leucyl-tRNA synthetase. Partially purified leucyl-tRNA synthetase from KB cells or from yeast can esterify leucine completely only to some of the isoacceptors while insignificant reaction is observed with the others.
Airline scheduling: accomplishments, opportunities and challenges

Airline scheduling is characterized by numerous complexities, including a network of flights, different aircraft types, limited numbers of gates, air traffic control restrictions, environmental regulations, strict safety requirements, a myriad of crew work rules and complicated payment structures, and competitive, dynamic environments in which passenger demands are uncertain and pricing strategies are complex. This, layered with the airline industry’s endemic issues of low profitability, contentious labor issues, and outdated and inadequate infrastructure, poses daunting challenges that have intrigued operations researchers for at least a half-century, and have provided a fertile ground for the development and application of models and algorithms. In this talk, we first briefly summarize the optimization-based accomplishments in this area, highlighting the significant successes and impacts. While impressive, the problem is far from solved today. The focus of this talk, then, is on the many remaining opportunities and challenges, namely:
Managerial ownership of voting rights

Abstract Managers of firms with dual classes of common stock can choose different quantities of votes for a given cash flow interest by choosing different quantities of the two securities. We study managerial stock holdings in 45 dual class firms and find that vote ownership per se is an important motivation for these holdings in that corporate officers and their families hold a median 56.9% of the votes and 24.0% of the common stock cash flows. We also find significant family involvement in many sample firms, and document four case studies in which explicit acquisition premiums were paid for superior voting shares.
On-Bead Two-Color (OBTC) Cell Screen for Direct Identification of Highly Selective Cell Surface Receptor Ligands

Combinatorial library screens can identify a suitable ligand for a biological target of interest out of thousands or even millions of compounds, and can play a key role in the modern drug development process. While conventional high-throughput cell screens based on functional assays require expensive robotics, simple on-bead combinatorial assays for ligand binding to the target protein can be done far more cheaply. This article describes one such assay, developed using combinatorial peptoid libraries for targeting integral membrane receptors or other cell surface-exposed molecules. In addition to the reduced cost, a unique advantage of this assay is the direct identification of the most selective ligands for a cell surface receptor that is expressed in its natural environment.
Pensamento crítico e acurácia dos diagnósticos de enfermagem. Parte II: aplicação de habilidades cognitivas e guia para o auto-desenvolvimento

Na Parte I deste artigo, o autor explicou as dificuldades em alcancar a acuracia dos diagnosticos de enfermagem, a relevância do pensamento critico no alcance dessa acuracia e as mais novas perspectivas desse pensamento. Na Parte II, as dimensoes do pensamento critico identificadas como importantes para a pratica de enfermagem sao aplicadas em um estudo de caso de uma menina de 16 anos com Diabetes do tipo 1. A aplicacao das sete habilidades cognitivas e das dez formas de pensar ilustram a importância do uso do pensamento critico para a acuracia dos diagnosticos de enfermagem. Dez estrategias sao propostas para o auto-desenvolvimento de habilidades para o pensamento critico.
Synergism of Catalysis and Reaction Center Rehybridization in Nucleophilic Additions to Cumulenes: The One‐, Two‐ and Three‐Water Hydrolyses of Carbodiimide and Methyleneimine

The results of a theoretical study of the one-, two- and three-water hydrolyses of carbodiimide and the one- and two-water hydrolyses of methyleneimine are presented. All structures were optimized and characterized at the MP2(full)/6-31G* level of theory. Energies for the one-water hydrolysis of carbodiimide were determined at numerous higher levels of theory, up to the QCISD(T)(fc)/6-311+G(3df,2p)//MP2(full)/6-31G* level. The Delta E0(Delta G298) activation barriers for the rate-determining steps of the one-, two- and three-water hydrolyses of carbodiimide, respectively, are 44.8 (46.3), 29.3 (32.3) and 22.9 (26.2) kcal mol(-1) at the MP2(full)/6-31G* level. The consideration of a second water molecule catalyzes the hydrolysis by 15.5 kcal mol(-1) on the E0 surface and by 14.0 kcal mol(-1) on the G298 surface with respect to the one-water hydrolysis. Placement of a third water molecule opposite the site of proton transfer catalyzes the reaction by an additional 6.4 kcal mol(-1) on the E0 surface and by 6.1 kcal mol(-1) on the G298 surface. The catalytic effect of the third water molecule results from the synergistic effects of rehybridization and charge relaxation in the transition state. The charge relaxation in the transition state is illustrated through natural population analysis calculations on the pre-coordination complexes and the transition state structures. We also consider the placement of the third water molecule in the proton transfer chain and we show this to be of little catalytic relevance. The activation barriers determined for the one- and two-water hydrolyses of methyleneimine are Delta G298=51.9 and Delta G298=35.5 kcal mol(-1), respectively, and they are larger than for carbodiimide. The results are compared with the hydrolyses of carbon dioxide and formaldehyde.
BJC in action: Comparison of student perceptions of a computer science principles course

The Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) is a curriculum for the new AP Computer Science Principles course. Over the past 2 years, we have collected post-course surveys from 399 students participating in the BJC course. This paper investigates how the responses of females and students from underrepresented racial minority groups (URMs) differed from those of their counterparts. We found that female students had taken fewer CS courses prior to BJC but that students from URMs had taken more prior CS courses. Both groups were nearly equally likely to recommend the course to a friend, with about 80% recommending. We found no evidence to suggest that female students showed more or less interest in specific CS topics, such as learning how computing has changed the world or making mobile apps/games. Despite having taken more CS courses prior to BJC, we found that students from URMs were overall less likely to intend to take additional CS courses. Overall, our findings are fairly consistent with the literature, and suggest that BJC makes some progress towards broadening participation in computing.
Genetic and Physiological Characteristics of a Slow-Growing Circadian Clock Mutant of NEUROSPORA CRASSA

A circadian clock mutant of Neurospora crassa with a period length of about 25.8 hours (4 hr longer than wild type) has been isolated after mutagenesis of the band strain. This mutant, called frq-5 , segregates as a single nuclear gene, maps near the centromere on linkage group III, and is unlinked to four previously described clock mutants clustered on linkage group VII R (Feldman and Hoyle 1973, 1976). frq-5 differs from the other clock mutants in at least two other respects: (1) it is recessive in heterokaryons, and (2) it grows at about 60% the rate of the parent band strain on both minimal and complete media. Double mutants between frq-5 and each of the other clock mutants show additivity of period length-two long period mutants produce a double mutant whose period length is longer than either of the two single mutants, while a long and a short period double mutant has an intermediate period length. Although slow growth and long periodicity of frq-5 have segregated together among more than 300 progeny, slow growth per se is not responsible for the long period, since all the double mutants have the slow growth characteristic of frq-5 , but have period lengths both shorter and longer than wild type.
Zener tunneling in semiconductors with degenerate band structure

Abstract The theory of tunneling between a degenerate and a non-degenerate band system is investigated. The wave function for the former, in the presence of the electric field, shows that at the appropriate branch point of the energy function the electron can make a transition between degenerate bands. These wave functions are used to calculate the valence-conduction band tunneling rate, in a uniform electric field, for Kane's four band model.
Chemical assay of cyanide levels of short-time-fermented cassava products in the Abraka area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract Five cassava products, commonly consumed in and around the Abraka area of Delta State, Nigeria were analysed for their cyanide levels. This study, to determine safe levels of cyanide, became necessary as the fermentation time in the processing of these products has been observed to be drastically shortened to as low as 6 h for quick economic returns. In all the products, the cyanide levels were reduced from 30.0–58.0 mg HCN equivalent kg −1 of product. These levels fall below the reported 30.0 mg HCN equivalent kg −1 safe (fresh weight) of raw cassava to 5.4–24.0 mg HCN equivalent kg −1 level for cassava products. Nevertheless, some of the products containing up to 20.0–26.5 g HCN equivalent kg −1 of products are dangerous to health as these levels are higher than the 20.0 mg HCN equivalent kg −1 safe level recommended by the Standard Organization of Nigeria. The current practice of short-time fermentation should therefore be discouraged.
Odd- J Pairing in Nuclei

We point out a simplicity that arises when we use an interaction in which only an energy with odd J is non-zero. The emphasis is on J= J_{max} and in particular J=9+ in the g_{9/2} shell. It is noted that high overlaps can be deceptive. In many cases a single set of U9-j coefficients gives either an exact or a very good approximation to the wave function of a yrast state.
Sensitivity comparison of optimal controls

The performance index sensitivity is analysed for the general optimal control problem with initial and final target manifolds. The sensitivity is compared for two arbitrary controllers A and B which are optimal for a nominal parameter value. The method of analysis provides additional insight into the relationship between trajectory sensitivity and the sensitivity of the performance functional. An expression relating the performance index sensitivities for two designs is formulated in terms of the trajectory sensitivities at the initial and final manifolds.
Squalenes, phytanes and other isoprenoids as major neutral lipids of methanogenic and thermoacidophilic ``archaebacteria''

The neutral lipids from nine species of methanogenic bacteria (five methanobacilli, two methanococci, a methanospirillum and a methanosarcina) and two thermoacidophilic bacteria (Thermo-plasma and Sulfolobus) have been analyzed. The neutral lipids were found to comprise a wide range (C14 to C30) of polyisoprenyl hydrocarbons with varying degrees of saturation. The principal components represented the three major isoprenoid series (C20 phytanyl, C25 pentaisoprenyl, and C30 squalenyl), in contrast with the neutral lipids of extreme halophiles, which consist predominantly of C2O (phytanyl, geranylgeraniol), C30 (squalenes), C40 (carotenes) and C50 (bacterioruberins compounds), as reported by Kates (1978). These results, which indicate strong general similarities between genetically diverse organisms, support the classification of these organisms in a separate phylogenetic group. The occurrence of similar isoprenoid compounds in petroleum and ancient sediments and the fact that the methanogens, halophiles and thermoacidophiles live in conditions presumed to have prevailed in archaen times suggest that the isoprenoid compounds in petroleum compounds and sediment may have been directly synthesized by organisms of this type
The effects of prior knowledge on the learning of categories of maps

The purpose of this study is to answer several important questions concerning the learning of categories of geographic information from maps. Categorization is a fundamental part of both learning and communication, and learning and communication are, in turn, central to any field of study. If categorization is a fundamental part of the learning process, then how people categorize information learned from maps must be of concern to cartographers and geographers. This study examines map reader categorization by having subjects in an experimental situation learn categories of maps. The primary variables in this study are the coherence of the categories and the duration of exposure to the categories. It was found that coherent categories cause subjects to rely on prior knowledge. The ability to use prior knowledge allows subjects to learn categories quickly, but it also causes them to make inaccurate assumptions about the category membership. This finding was not altered when subjects were given longer exposu...
Progress in electronic instrumentation

The development of electronic instrumentation is extensively influenced by materials availability and the economic environment. This article investigates those influences and looks at possible directions the industry might take
173. Weight dissatisfaction is associated with low-grade inflammation and self-reported chronic stress for women but not men

Previous research on dissatisfaction with body weight has focused primarily on psychological consequences and the relationship to disordered eating behaviors in females. The present study aimed at examining sex differences in the role of negative feelings about weight on psychological as well as physiological health outcomes. Participants were 25 female and 14 male college students (age: 20.46 ± 2.32 years) with average BMI of 23.22 ± 3.8. Participants self-reported perceived chronic stress and weight-specific body esteem. As a physiological health marker, CRP levels were assessed in dried blood spots. While no sex differences were found for BMI, females had higher CRP levels ( t = 2.14, p = .04) and lower weight body esteem ( t = −2.30, p = .03). Controlling for BMI, women with higher weight dissatisfaction reported more stress while for men, stress levels were independent from feelings about weight (beta = .37, p = .04). While women with more negative feelings about weight had higher CRP levels than those with higher body esteem, there was no relationship for men (beta = .35, p = .066). Findings support the idea that low body esteem, specifically weight dissatisfaction, may be a chronic stressor for females. Weight dissatisfaction was further linked to chronic low-grade inflammation, thus suggesting a mechanism linking current weight concerns to future negative health outcomes. Weight concerns did not contribute to chronic stress or inflammation in men. This may suggest gender differences in the role of body esteem in the development of stress-related disease.
The Mind of a Male

When a major computer chip manufacturer brings a new integrated circuit to the market, its competitors often rush to reverse-engineer the chip to understand how it works. They shave off thin layers of the semiconductor material while imaging each newly revealed surface under an electron microscope. By tracing the wires in the electron micrographs, computer engineers assemble the wiring diagram of the chip, which allows them to eventually deduce its function. Similarly, neuroscientists hope to gain insights into the way the nervous system generates behavior by reconstructing its wiring diagram. Like the solid-state wires in computer chips, biological “wires” that carry electrical signals are tens of nanometers in diameter, requiring electron microscopes and ultrathin sectioning to image them. On page 437 of this issue, Jarrell et al. ( 1 ) use this approach to reconstruct the nervous system in the tail of a male Caenorhabditis elegans roundworm.
meeting summary: Future Directions for Research on Meter- and Submeter-Scale Atmospheric Turbulence

Abstract In the 1970s, tremendous progress was made in the physics of atmospheric finescale turbulence. In subsequent decades, effort in this field has languished. Although many scientific and technological problems associated with finescale turbulence are still unsolved, and although the need for the solution of some of them is now more urgent than three decades ago, the finescale turbulence community has never regained the strength and impact that it had in the 1970s. On 9–11 Aug 1999, a workshop on Atmospheric Turbulence at Meter– and Submeter Scales was held in Boulder, Colorado. Thirty–five invited participants with interests in this field discussed its past and future. Based on these discussions, this paper offers recommendations for three future canonical field experiments that would combine state–of–the–art methodologies to observe, simulate, and understand atmospheric finescale turbulence, in what sense it is relevant to remote sensing observations, and to what extent it affects the formation and...
The Interaction Effects Between General Thinking Skills and an Interactive Graphics-Based DSS to Support Problem Structuring*

An interactive graphics-based problem-structuring aid, GISMO, based on concepts from structural modeling and motivated by research in imagery theory and cognitive psychology was incorporated into a decision support system. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the relationships between three individual general thinking skills (GTS) and the effectiveness of the problem-structuring tool. A theoretical model of the roles of GTS and GISMO in problem formulation and a methodology for testing the model are presented. The model posits that the effectiveness of visual problem-structuring aids in formulating or understanding complex problems is influenced by specific cognitive skills (i.e., visual-thinking, verbal, and logical-reasoning skills). The results indicate GISMO use is related to higher levels of problem-structure understanding, regardless of verbal and logical-reasoning skills. Also, the results indicate a strong interaction effect between GISMO use and visual-thinking skill. Subjects classified as high visual thinkers benefited more from the use of GISMO than the low visual-thinking subjects. The results of the experiment lend support for the findings of a previous study of GISMO reported in the literature, and the image theorist view that the ability to create and use visual, mental images is related to better problem-solving performance.
Leptin stimulates sympathetic axon outgrowth

The neurohormone leptin regulates energy homeostasis. Circulating levels of leptin secreted by adipose tissue act on hypothalamic neurons in the brain leading to decreased appetite and increased energy expenditure. Although leptin signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) is fundamental to its ability to regulate the body's metabolic balance, leptin also has a variety of effects in many peripheral tissues including the heart, the liver, and the sympathetic nervous system. Leptin stimulation of the hypothalamus can stimulate glucose uptake via the sympathetic nervous system in heart, muscle, and brown adipose tissue. Leptin receptors (Ob-Rb) are also expressed by peripheral sympathetic neurons, but their functional role is not clear. In this study, we found that leptin stimulates axonal growth of both adult and neonatal sympathetic neurons in vitro. Leptin stimulates acute activation of the transcription factor STAT3 via phosphorylation of tyrosine 705. STAT3 phosphorylation is required for leptin-stimulated sympathetic axon outgrowth. Thus, circulating levels of leptin may enhance sympathetic nerve innervation of peripheral tissues.
Periurethral collagen implant: Ultrasound assessment and prediction of outcome

The objective of this study was to identify sonographic parameters that could predict sucessful outcome in women after periurethral collagen implant. Thirty-one women with a diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence with intrinsic sphincteric deficiency underwent one periurethral collagen implant between January and December 1994. Three months after the procedure ultrasound evaluation was performed using a 5 MHz probe placed at the vaginal introitus. Subjective assessment and cough stress test were used to measure outcomes. Twenty-five women were available for evaluation 1 year after the procedure. A successful outcome was found in 18 of the 25 women subjectively (72%) and in 16 objectively (64%). A distance of the collagen from the bladder neck of less than 7 mm was found to be associated with a positive outcome. This threshold was found to have a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 85.7%, a positive predictive value of 93.7% and a negative predictive value of 66.6%.
Modulated FT-Raman Fiber-Optic Spectroscopy: A Technique for Remotely Monitoring High-Temperature Reactions in Real-Time.

A modification to a commercial FT-Raman spectrometer is presented for the elimination of thermal backgrounds in FT-Raman spectra. The modification involves the use of a mechanical chopper to modulate the CW laser, remote collection of the signal via fiber optics, and connection of a dual-phase digital signal processor lock-in amplifier between the detector and the spectrometer's collection electronics to demodulate and filter the optical signals. The resulting modulated FT-Raman fiber-optic spectrometer is capable of completely eliminating thermal backgrounds at temperatures exceeding 370 C. In addition, the signal/noise of generated Raman spectra is greater than for spectra collected with the conventional FT-Raman under identical conditions and incident laser power. This is true for both room-temperature and hot samples. The method allows collection of data using preexisting spectrometer software. The total cost of the modification (excluding fiber optics) is approximately $3000 and requires less than 2 h to implement. This is the first report of Fr-Raman spectra collected at temperatures in excess of 300 C in the absence of thermal backgrounds.
Balloon atrial septostomy: The oldest cardiac interventional procedure in Mansoura

Abstract Background Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) was first described by Rashkind and Miller in 1966 and remains an important interventional procedure in the palliation of certain forms of congenital heart disease (CHD). Creating an atrial septa1 defect in patients with transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) will enhance bidirectional mixing of the pulmonary and systemic venous blood, hence improving oxygen saturation. The aim of the work is to review and report our experience using balloon atrial septostomy in different CHD. Method We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records, echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization reports of patients subjected for BAS during the period from January 2001 till January 2010. One hundred and ninety two patients with CHD (78.5% d-TGA, 10% mitral atresia, 7.5% tricuspid atresia, and 4% hypoplastic left heart syndrome) underwent BAS. Their gestational age was 38.63 ± 1.48 weeks, postnatal age (median 3.5 days, range 1–54) and weight 3.08 ± 0.37 kg, 57.5% was male and 42.5% was female. All patients received PGE1 infusion before the procedure to maintain the ductal patency in a dose of 0.05–0.1 μg/kg/min. Results One hundred twenty two procedures (63.5%) were done in neonatal intensive care at bedside and 70 procedures (36.5%) in the catheterization laboratory. General anesthesia was used in 31.3% of patients whereas conscious sedation was used in 68.7% of patients. Femoral access in 78% while umbilical access in 22%. Seven F sheath was used in 100% of case. The Miller catheter was used in 75% and a Z-5 septostomy catheter in 25% of cases. The diameter of the atrial communication increased from 2.75 ± 0.97 mm to 7.07 ± 0.79 mm (p Conclusion BAS is safe and an effective palliative procedure for different CHD with good immediate results in our institution.
Comparison of Echocardiography at Peak Exercise and After Bicycle Exercise in Evaluation of Patients with Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract To determine if echocardiography done immediately after bicycle exercise provides the same information as imaging at peak exercise, we evaluated 104 consecutive patients being studied for coronary artery disease. Interpretable exercise echocardiograms were obtained in 96 patients (92%), 29 of whom had a new wall motion abnormality detected with exercise echocardiography. Of these 29 patients, 10 had a wall motion abnormality detected in apical views obtained during peak exercise that resolved by the time apical imaging was performed after exercise. Three of these 10 patients, however, had wall motion abnormalities in parasternal views taken after exercise in areas adjacent to the wall motion abnormality imaged at peak exercise. The sensitivity of exercise-induced wall motion abnormality for the detection of significant coronary artery disease in those patients undergoing coronary arteriography was 70% for imaging done after exercise versus 100% for imaging done at peak exercise. Six patients' conditions would have been misclassified as normal if only imaging done after exercise had been performed. We conclude that the addition of echocardiography imaging at peak exercise on a bicycle enhances the sensitivity for the detection of coronary artery disease with exercise echocardiography.
You are in charge of cost

Shifts in medical reimbursement dictate that physicians become knowledgeable about resource consumption. Price drives cost. The patient is now a cost center. Various models of physician-hospital integration are presented. A completely integrated staff in the hospital has the greatest potential for economic efficiency. The best method of cost accounting will include activity-based costs in a format that is understandable for physician education. Hospital cost management involves human resources, ordering practices, length of stay, purchasing, capital requirements, and benchmark targets. As health reform takes shape, physicians should be fully cognizant of cost, understand healthcare issues, and commit to improving the environment in which they practice medicine. The purpose of these activities is to improve the value of healthcare delivery for all patients.
Virtually Variable Displacement Hydraulic Pump Including Compressability and Switching Losses

Hydraulic pumps can be fixed or variable displacement. Fixed displacement pumps are typically smaller, lighter, less expensive, and can be of any design (gear, vane, axial piston, radial piston, ect.)[1]. Variable displacement pumps are often axial piston with an adjustable swash plate. A virtually variable displacement pump (VVDP) is a fixed displacement pump combined with a fast switching control valve that performs the same function as a variable displacement pump. This is done by always pumping full flow, but using the control valve to divert only a certain percentage of flow to the system, and the rest back to tank. A VVDP has several advantages over a traditional variable swash axial piston pump. First, the pump can be of any design, not just axial piston. Second, the flow control bandwidth can be much faster because it is only limited by the bandwidth of the fast switching control valve and system accumulator, not the bandwidth of a swash plate. Third, a VVDP pump can be more efficient because it can operate at its optimum pressure and flow setting. On the downside a VVDP will require a high speed valve. There are also added switching power losses due to constant metering over valves, compressing and decompressing hydraulic oil, and metering during transition between pumping to system and tank. This paper concentrates on modeling these three switching losses.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effect of electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve on insulinemia and glycemia in Acomys cahirinus mice.

To investigate the parasympathetic regulation of the endocrine pancreas in spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), unilateral electrical stimulations of the left cervical vagus nerve were performed in these animals and their controls, the albino mice. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured before and after the stimulation. The stimulation parameters were: 2- 2.5 V, 14 Hz, 1 msec for the albino mice and 3 V, 14 Hz, 1 msec or 15-20 V, 20 Hz, 1 msec for the spiny mice. Already 2 min after the start of the stimulation, the acomys as well as the albino mice showed a significant increase in plasma insulin levels which was accompanied by a weak but significant increase in glycemia. However, the total insulin output in the acomys mice was half than that of the albino mice. Carbachol administration had no effect on insulin secretion in the acomys mice, while it increased that of the controls. Atropine pretreatment failed to abolish the insulin release elicited by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve in the ac...
Bringing Institutions into Evolutionary Growth Theory

Classical economics was both evolutionary and institutional. With the rise of neoclassical economics, both the evolutionary and the institutional aspects were squeezed out of main line economic theory. The last quarter century has seen a rebirth of both traditions, but as minority intellectual positions, and to a considerable extent separate ones. This essay argues the need for a rejoining of evolutionary and institutional economics, and suggests a way to bring the two strands together in a coherent way.
Studying Interfacial Transport With Evanescent Wave-Based Particle Velocimetry and Thermometry

Interfacial phenomena due to surface forces are important in microfluidic devices with their relatively large surface areas and small volumes. This article reviews our recent studies measuring fluid velocities in Poiseuille and electrokinetically driven flows over the first ∼0.4 μm next to the wall from the motion of an ensemble of O(105) fluorescent particles illuminated by evanescent waves. Because the evanescent-wave intensity decays exponentially with wall-normal distance, the particle–wall separation can be determined from the brightness of each particle image, and used to estimate the steady-state distribution of the tracers near the wall. More recently, evanescent-wave illumination has been combined with fluorescence thermometry, to estimate water temperature fields from changes in the fluorescence intensity of aqueous fluorophore solutions. Poiseuille flow of a fluorescein solution at Reynolds numbers of 3.3 and 8.3 through a heated minichannel was illuminated with evanescent waves to measure solu...
External short circuit fault diagnosis for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, a diagnostic method for identifying an external short circuit (ESC) fault for a lithium-ion battery is developed based upon active characterization experiments and online validation. The proposed method examines three criteria: voltage variation, current variation and temperature change rate. These criteria can be used to identify the fault independent of the battery state of charge (SoC) when an ESC fault occurs. Experimental results are presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed diagnostic method.
Malaria-Induced Increase of Splenic γδ T Cells in Humans, Monkeys, and Mice

Abstract The number and distribution of γδ T cells in spleens from patients who died of cerebral malaria and from rhesus monkeys severely infected with Plasmodium coatneyi were examined by immunocytochemistry. γδ T cells were significantly increased in these spleens. In a rodent malaria model using Plasmodium chabaudi adami, an avirulent strain of murine malaria parasites, the degree of parasitemia appears to be modulated by the number of γδ T cells in the spleen. As parasitemia increases, these T cells increase in number. At some critical point, γδ T cells in collaboration with macrophages and αβ T cells apparently start to clear parasitized erythrocytes from the blood, leading to an abatement of the parasitemia, which is followed by a reduction in the number of γδ T cells. This γδ T cell phenomenon may be responsible for the self-limiting infection in mice.