cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical investigation of paramagnetic NMR shifts in transition metal acetylacetonato complexes: analysis of signs, magnitudes, and the role of the covalency of ligand-metal bonding.

Ligand chemical shifts are calculated and analyzed for three paramagnetic transition metal tris-acetylacetonato (acac) complexes, namely high-spin Fe(III) and Cr(III), and low-spin Ru(III), using scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT). The signs and magnitudes of the paramagnetic NMR ligand chemical shifts are directly related to the extent of covalent acac oxygen-to-metal σ donation involving unoccupied metal valence dσ acceptor orbitals. The role of delocalization of metal-centered spin density over the ligand atoms plays a minor secondary role. Of particular interest is the origin of the sign and magnitude of the methyl carbon chemical shift in the acac ligands, and the role played by the DFT delocalization error when calculating such shifts. It is found that the α versus β spin balance of oxygen σ donation to metal valence d acceptor orbitals is responsible for the sign and the magnitude of the ligand methyl carbon chemical shift. A problematic case is the methyl carbon shift of Fe(acac)3...
STATIC AND DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING OF DILUTE MAGNETORHEOLGICAL EMULSIONS

The structure formation and dynamics of a dilute, monodisperse ferrofluid emulsion under the influence of an external magnetic field have been investigated using static and dynamic light scattering techniques. In the absence of an external field, the spherical emulsion particles behave as a dilute system of hard spheres where the static light scattering is dominated by the droplet form factor and the dynamic light scattering provides the diffusion coefficient due to their Brownian motion. An applied magnetic field induces a magnetic dipole moment in each droplet. Static light scattering is used to study the time dependence of the structure formation caused by the dipole-dipole interaction as a function of the field strength. The change of the dynamic properties due to chain formation is studied by dynamic light scattering.
Deflagration with quantum and dipolar effects in a model of a molecular magnet

Combination of the thermal effect in magnetic deflagration with resonance spin tunneling controlled by the dipole-dipole interaction in molecular magnets leads to the increase in the deflagration speed in the dipolar window near tunneling resonances, if a strong-enough transverse field is applied.
The influence of interior gradients of potential vorticity on rapid cyclogenesis

The evolution of cyclonic disturbances that are localized along the rigid upper and lower boundaries of a stratified, uniformly rotating, Boussinesq atmosphere is examined using an inviscid, adiabatic, two-dimensional, quasi-geostrophic model. The disturbances are characterized by either uniform or nonuniform potential vorticity. An imposed vertical shear of the geostrophic zonal wind provides the energy source for baroclinic development. The model simulations in this study are intended to address the possibility that a tropopause fold associated with an upperlevel jet-front system overrunning a low-level air-mass boundary can result in rapid cyclogenesis, in the absence of diabatic effects. The interaction of baroclinically stable upper- and lower-level disturbances characterized by nonuniform potential vorticity results in a significant initial increase of the relative vorticity at the surface, in contrast to the decrease in relative vorticity exhibited by an isolated lower-level disturbance. The increase in relative vorticity associated with this rapid growth phase exceeds that predicted by normal-mode theory. Similar, but less pronounced, development occurs if the upper-level anomaly has nonuniform potential vorticity while the lower-level anomaly has uniform potential vorticity. Upper- and lower-level anomalies associated with uniform potential vorticity do not interact. Each disturbance behaves as a surface-trapped baroclinic wave. There is no increase in surface relative vorticity prior to the onset of the normal-mode growth phase. A diagnostic omega equation is presented, wherein the forcing is expressed equivalently as the advection of potential vorticity and perturbation vertical stratification by the thermal wind or as the advection of relative vorticity by the thermal wind. The omega equation is used to interpret the evolution of surface vorticity in terms of an induced vortex stretching for the various combinations of upper- and lower-level anomalies. When properly configured in the vertical, interior anomalies of potential vorticity are particularly conducive to surface development, with the primary cyclogenetic contribution due to advection of potential vorticity by the thermal wind. This forcing contribution dominates that related to perturbation stratification, which is shown to be cyclolytic. Alternatively, the vorticity fields associated with the upper- and lower-level potential vorticity anomalies overlap and reinforce each other, resulting in strong cyclogenetic forcing at lower levels through vorticity advection by the thermal wind. This study illustrates and clarifies some of the concepts associated with “potential-vorticity thinking” and the initial-value approach to baroclinic instability. It is suggested that nonuniform distributions of interior potential vorticity with realistic length and depth scales provide a forcing mechanism sufficient for the rapid development of localized surface cyclones. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1991.t01-2-00003.x
A description of morbidly obese state employees requesting a bariatric operation.

Background The federal government, the medical insurance industry, and the academic medical community have disagreed over what treatments are appropriate and cost effective for morbid obesity. This debate is hindered by inadequate data regarding the true costs of diseases and who chooses an operation as a treatment option. The purpose of this study was to obtain these costs and to describe this population. Methods Louisiana's managed medical insurance program created primarily for its civil service employees contracted to offer a small random group of morbidly obese employees the option of a bariatric operation. This observational study examined the subpopulation who requested consideration for the operation. We present historic cost data from all medical expenses paid by the insurance company, a telephone survey of the volunteers in the study to determine their medical problems, and diagnostic evaluation data on those employees randomized to proceed for possible bariatric operation. Results A total of 911 of 189,398 adult members of the insurance plan wanted to be considered for this study. Only 397, however, completed the informed-consent process. Of the 248 employees who met the age requirement, body mass index criteria, and health criteria to be considered for a bariatric operation and were randomized, 20 withdrew before obtaining 40 committed operative candidates. The 773 morbidly obese female members had used a mean of $11,145 in medical insurance expenses in the year 2003 versus a mean of $8,096 for the other 106,908 adult women. Similar values for the men were $16,720 for the 138 morbidly obese men versus $5,943 for the other 82,490 men. Conclusions The morbidly obese members of this medical insurance plan who requested a bariatric operation are costing their plan 1.4 to 2.8 times the yearly amount of the other adult members in medical expenses. The yearly mean amount the insurance plan spends on these members suggests that operative treatment would pay for itself in a relatively few number of years if it could significantly reduce these costs. Even in those who consider bariatric operation, many withdraw, further limiting the costs of operative therapy.
Precisely Ordered Phosphorylation Reactions in the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Cascade

The MAP kinase cascades, composed of a MAP3K, a MAP2K, and a MAPK, control switch responses to extracellular stimuli and stress in eukaryotes. The most important feature of these modules is thought to be the two double phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by MAP3Ks and MAP2Ks. We addressed whether the reactions are sequential or random in the p38 MAP kinase module. Mass spectrometry was used to track the phosphorylation of the MAP2K MEK6 by two MAP3Ks, TAO2 and ASK1, and the subsequent phosphorylation of p38α by MEK6/S*T* (where S (Ser) and T (Thr) are the two phosphorylation sites and * denotes phosphorylation). Both double phosphorylation reactions are precisely ordered. MEK6 is phosphorylated first on Thr-211 and then on Ser-207 by both MAP3Ks. This is the first demonstration of a precise reaction order for a MAP2K. p38α is phosphorylated first on Tyr-182 and then on Thr-180, the same reaction order observed previously in ERK2. Thus, intermediates were MEK6/ST* and p38α/TY*. Similarly, the phosphorylation of the p38α transcription factor substrate ATF2 occurs in a precise sequence. Progress curves for the appearance of intermediates were fit to kinetic models. The models confirmed the reaction order, revealed processivity in the phosphorylation of MEK6 by ASK1, and suggested that the order of phosphorylation is dictated by both binding and catalysis rates. Background: MAPK cascades are signaling modules that function as switch generators. Results: In vitro phosphorylation in the p38 MAPK cascade tracked by LC-MS/MS revealed specific phosphorylation intermediates at each level. Conclusion: The p38 MAPK cascade reactions occur through intermediates MEK6/ST* and p38α/TY*. Significance: The precise order of reactions may contribute to the diverse kinetic outputs of the cascades, including those with large Hill coefficients.
A neural model for visual activation of startle behavior in fish

The startle response of a fish to an attacking predator is modeled using a Mauthner cell spike initiated by inputs from ganglion cells that sense the expansion of the predator's image on the fish's retina. The image expansion rate is dependent on the predator's distance (D), speed (V) and silhouette area (A). The Mauthner cell fires when the expansion rate reaches a threshold value. The model defines a startle response reaction distance as D = (kAV)1/3, where k depends on the eye morphology and Mauthner cell electrical properties. The equation is fitted to published data on the reaction distance of zebra danio (Branchydanio rerio).
Osteoblasts detect pericellular calcium concentration increase via neomycin-sensitive voltage gated calcium channels

The mechanisms underlying the detection of critically loaded or micro-damaged regions of bone by bone cells are still a matter of debate. Our previous studies showed that calcium efflux originates from pre-failure regions of bone matrix and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts respond to such efflux by an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. The mechanisms by which the intracellular calcium concentration increases in response to an increase in the pericellular calcium concentration are unknown. Elevation of the intracellular calcium may occur via release from the internal calcium stores of the cell and/or via the membrane bound channels. The current study applied a wide range of pharmaceutical inhibitors to identify the calcium entry pathways involved in the process: internal calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER, inhibited by thapsigargin and TMB-8), calcium receptor (CaSR, inhibited by calhex), stretch-activated calcium channel (SACC, inhibited by gadolinium), voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC, inhibited by nifedipine, verapamil, neomycin, and ω-conotoxin), and calcium-induced-calcium-release channel (CICRC, inhibited by ryanodine and dantrolene). These inhibitors were screened for their effectiveness to block intracellular calcium increase by using a concentration gradient induced calcium efflux model which mimics calcium diffusion from the basal aspect of cells. The inhibitor(s) which reduced the intracellular calcium response was further tested on osteoblasts seeded on mechanically loaded notched cortical bone wafers undergoing damage. The results showed that only neomycin reduced the intracellular calcium response in osteoblasts, by 27%, upon extracellular calcium stimulus induced by concentration gradient. The inhibitory effect of neomycin was more pronounced (75% reduction in maximum fluorescence) for osteoblasts seeded on notched cortical bone wafers loaded mechanically to damaging load levels. These results imply that the increase in intracellular calcium occurs by the entry of extracellular calcium ions through VGCCs which are sensitive to neomycin. N-type and P-type VGCCs are potential candidates because they are observed in osteoblasts and they are sensitive to neomycin. The calcium channels identified in this study provide new insight into mechanisms underlying the targeted repair process which is essential to bone adaptation.
Learning functions of k relevant variables

We consider a fundamental problem in computational learning theory: learning an arbitrary Boolean function that depends on an unknown set of k out of n Boolean variables. We give an algorithm for learning such functions from uniform random examples that runs in time roughly (nk)ω/ω+1, where ω < 2.376 is the matrix multiplication exponent. We thus obtain the first-polynomial factor improvement on the naive nk time bound which can be achieved via exhaustive search. Our algorithm and analysis exploit new structural properties of Boolean functions.
An Hybrid Senor Localization Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

Localization, the determination of geographical location of sensors is a fundamental problem in wireless sensor networks. In this paper we consider a static wireless network in which the reference nodes are static-non moving. We propose a positioning method known as hybrid optimizing algorithm (HOA) which combines steepest decent method and Taylor series expansion method. The steepest decent method converges quickly at initial iterations and has less computational complexity. The performance of Taylor series method depends on initial estimation. We conduct simulation experiments to evaluate the performance of these methods. Results show that HOA achieves better performance on position accuracy as it takes the advantages of both the methods.
Environment and ontogeny modify loblolly pine response to induced acute water deficits and bark beetle attack

Abstract We evaluated the impact of tree resistance on within-tree population dynamics of southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., as affected by prevailing water regimes, acute water deficits imposed by applying dry-ice (solid CO2) collars to tree boles, and by the seasonal ontogeny of pines. We conducted the study in the spring of 1986, when bole cambial growth had not yet shifted from earlywood to latewood formation, and in the summer of 1987, when latewood formation was well advanced. In each year there were five treated and five control trees. In 1986, under relatively well-watered conditions, results did not support the hypothesis that induced acute water deficit will enhance success of southern pine beetle attack and brood production. All trees were readily attacked and overcome with no apparent beneficial effects of the dry-ice treatment on within-tree population dynamics. In 1987, under drier conditions, results supported the hypothesis. Treated trees again were readily colonized, but three of the five control trees resisted attack to the extent that all attacks eventually failed. In 1986, all study trees maintained relatively high water potentials for more than 3 weeks following beetle attack. However, resin yields from bark wounds decreased rapidly. In contrast, water potentials of controls decreased gradually in 1987 and resin yields increased as controls resisted beetle attacks. Water potential of treated trees dropped rapidly 2 weeks after initial beetle attack, and resin yields decreased rapidly, as they did in 1986. Consideration of environmental conditions and ontogenetic stage of host trees is extremely important in attempts to assess the effects of manipulative treatments on tree susceptibility to beetle attacks. Further, they illustrate the dynamic nature of tree resistance to beetle attack in the absence of abnormal stresses. Simultaneous study of environmental conditions, as well as physiological changes associated with ontogeny of trees, can effectively support research on interactions between bark beetles and host trees.
Correlation as a Determinant of Configurational Entropy in Supramolecular and Protein Systems

For biomolecules in solution, changes in configurational entropy are thought to contribute substantially to the free energies of processes like binding and conformational change. In principle, the configurational entropy can be strongly affected by pairwise and higher-order correlations among conformational degrees of freedom. However, the literature offers mixed perspectives regarding the contributions that changes in correlations make to changes in configurational entropy for such processes. Here we take advantage of powerful techniques for simulation and entropy analysis to carry out rigorous in silico studies of correlation in binding and conformational changes. In particular, we apply information-theoretic expansions of the configurational entropy to well-sampled molecular dynamics simulations of a model host-guest system and the protein bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. The results bear on the interpretation of NMR data, as they indicate that changes in correlation are important determinants of entropy changes for biologically relevant processes and that changes in correlation may either balance or reinforce changes in first-order entropy. The results also highlight the importance of main-chain torsions as contributors to changes in protein configurational entropy. As simulation techniques grow in power, the mathematical techniques used here will offer new opportunities to answer challenging questions about complex molecular systems.
Purification and mitogenic activation of Fc receptor bearing human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes (PBL) were fractionated into two distinct subpopulations by adsorption to anti-sheep red blood cell-sheep red blood cell (EA) monolayers. The mononuclear cells adhering to the EA monolayers (treated with tris-NH 4 CL to remove SRBC) contained (80 ± 5%), Fc receptor positive cells, 50 ± 5% EAC rosette forming cells and 60 ± 10% Ig bearing cells. Lymphocytes not adhering to the EA monolayer were enriched for cells forming rosettes with SRBC (85 ± 5%) compared to unfractionated PBL which contained 65% rosette forming cells (RFC). The nonadherent lymphocytes also had reduced number of rosettes formed with antibody-complement coated SRBC (EAC) and immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing cells compared to unfractionated PBL. The ability of these two enriched subpopulations of cells to be mitogenically activated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A) was examined. Both adherent and nonadherent populations responded to PHA and Con A with 3 H-thymidine uptake but the kinetic pattern and magnitude of activation differed significantly for each subpopulation compared to the mitogenic response of unfractionated PBL.
Is there selective mating in Tetrahymena during genomic exclusion

SYNOPSIS. Genomic exclusion is characterized by 2 rounds of mating. If exconjugants from different pairs remated at random after the first mating, we would expect a 1:2:1 ratio for genes present in heterozygous condition in the normal parent. An excess of homozygotes is observed which is similar for 2 different genes, suggesting that 10% of the rematings occur between exconjugants from the same Round 1 pair. Some but not all of these homozygotes can be attributed to a lack of separation of mates after the first round of mating. The rest may result because of differential mortality, induced autogamy or preferential remating.
Tug‐o‐where: situating mobilities of learning (t)here

This article explores ‘mobilities’ as a research framework for learning not so much in terms of what has to be done to enhance learning using mobile technologies. Instead it focuses on our embodied ways of knowing and learning by ‘being mobile’ in physical and mediated spaces. It reviews current mobility frameworks used in mobile learning research and other technology integration studies. It proposes a practice‐based mobility agenda for learning by ‘setting in motion’ not just technologies, but also bodies and spaces from a sociological perspective and a phenomenological standpoint. It seeks to understand what is being done – the re‐configurations of bodies, spaces and technologies in a mobile society that is increasingly characterised by media convergence and ubiquitous connections and communication. To move educational research, a conceptual framework that articulates body‐types in relation to technologies is discussed.
A micromethod for the determination of globin synthetic ratios (GSR): 94

The GSR is an absolute criterion for diagnosis, investigation, and classification of thalassemias (thal). Its wide use is prevented by the tedious, time consuming processing of the numerous fractions obtained by conventional column chromatography. Electrophoresis is simpler, but gret dilution of the "hot" globin (newly synthesized by retics) in the "cold" hemoglobin of the mature red cells, results in unreliably low radioactivity of the separated globin bands. This can be overcome only by overloading the strips which compromises good resolution. Here, we report a procedure for the preparation of globin 104-fold "hotter", than currently obtained with established methods, by incubating 5 μl of packed 20-70% retics (isolated at 1,500xg on a preformed Percoll-Urografin density gradient) with 30 μC of 3H-(leucine + lysine + proline + histidine +phenylalanine). Microzone electrophoresis of 2-5 μg of globin in urea-EDTA-thiol buffer, saturated with borate, gives sharp, well resolved α/β/γ bands. The GSR were determined in 75 individuals, in terms of cpm; 40 controls (β/α 1.01 ± .10); 20 β-thal traits (β/α .55 ± .10); 13 cases of β-thal major (β/α .17 ± .07, γ/α .35 ± .15); 2 α-thal traits (β/α 1.69, 1.41). In terms of specific activity, these values are not practically different, γ/β GSR, however, are up to 100-fold higher. This method allows easy handling by two persons, of 24-32 samples per week, at low cost, with repetitive assays. Hence, quality control is improved, and the scope of GSR determinations is expanded in post and antenatal thal, as well as in other hematological investigations.
Alternative tourism and social movements

Abstract This research tested a theoretical model drawing on components of social psychological (self-efficacy) and resource-mobilization (networks) theories to explain changes in social movement participation among Earthwatch expedition volunteers. It was hypothesized that involvement in an Earthwatch trip increases self-efficacy and facilitates the development of new networks, influencing volunteers' participation in social movement organizations. Results from pre- and post-trip survey suggest that as a consequence of the networks established during an expedition, participation in an expedition had a significantly positive effect on social movement activities. Changes in self-efficacy were not found to have any significant effect.
Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder in cardiac transplant allografts

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder occurs in 1.5% to 13% of heart transplant recipients and rarely involves the allograft. We report a case of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder restricted to the mitral valve in a heart transplant recipient. Thirteen cases of cardiac allograft involvement by posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder are reported in the literature. None are restricted to the allograft. Five specify sites of cardiac involvement. Valvular masses without infection necessitate evaluation for posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder involvement of the cardiac allograft valve.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Nonlinear Vibration Absorber for the Control of Plate Vibrations

We investigate a nonlinear active vibration absorber to control the vibrations of plates. The absorber is based on the saturation phenomenon associated with dynamical systems with quadratic nonline...
Analysis of the Copper Bead from Calf Island, Massachusetts

Given the increasing interest in copper analysis and the relative scarcity of prehistoric copper artifacts in the Northeast, those of us with unpublished data have an obligation to make them available to other researchers. Therefore, this article presents new metric and chemical data on a copper bead from the Calf Island site, a Late Woodland fishing and hunting camp in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. In addition, several new radiocarbon dates from the site are presented and discussed. It is suggested that beads may have been increasing in quantity and variety during the Late Woodland period in eastern Massachusetts.
Small Sample Size Learning for Shape Analysis of Anatomical Structures

We present a novel approach to statistical shape analysis of anatomical structures based on small sample size learning techniques. The high complexity of shape models used in medical image analysis, combined with a typically small number of training examples, places the problem outside the realm of classical statistics. This difficulty is traditionally overcome by first reducing dimensionality of the shape representation (e.g., using PCA) and then performing training and classification in the reduced space defined by a few principal components. We propose to learn the shape differences between the classes in the original high dimensional parameter space, while controlling the capacity (generalization error) of the classifier. This approach makes significantly fewer assumptions on the properties and the distribution of the underlying data, which can be advantageous in anatomical shape analysis where little is known about the true nature of the input data. Support Vector Machines with Radial Basis Function kernels are used as a training method and the VC dimension is used for the theoretical analysis of the classifier capacity.
Supply Chain Cost Model in Integrated Approach

'Supply chain management’ emerged as a concept when benefits of collaboration within and beyond the capacities of individual organizations were witnessed. It was found that the collaborative efforts in reducing total supply chain costs were effective in a fragmented supply chain. The challenge in supply chain cost analysis is posed in interface costs where multiple organizations are involved in occurring costs. Many of the overhead costs in a supply chain are interface costs impacted by the business process of upstream or downstream stakeholders as well as their own. Difficulty in developing a cost model pertaining to overhead costs leads to challenges in developing a supply chain cost model. The paper proposes a metric-based supply chain cost model using activity-based costing to help understand how each activity impacts total supply chain costs, followed by a case study. A supply chain coordinator needs to understand not only the whole supply chain costs but also the costs of primary processes, many of which are interdependent. The paper contributes to the knowledge of construction supply chain management in that a supply chain cost model using activity-based costing is presented.
How to Read and Evaluate an Article

(1958). How to Read and Evaluate an Article. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 255-257.
What is The Reason to Use Clifford Algebra in Quantum Cognition? Part II: Information, Cognition and the Principle of Existence are Intrinsically Structured in the Quantum Model of Reality

The thesis of this paper is that Information, Cognition and a Principle of Existence are intrinsically structured in the quantum model of reality. There is an intrinsic “factor of knowledge” that supports its structure. We reach such evidence by using the Clifford algebra. In detail we analyze quantization in some traditional cases of interest in quantum mechanics and, in particular, in quantum harmonic oscillator, orbital angular momentum and hydrogen atom. We adopt the basic von Neumann results that projection operators represent logical statements and we demonstrated that are intrinsically structured in the cases of quantization that are taken in consideration. NeuroQuantology | March 2013 | Volume 11 | Issue 1| Page 34-46
Overexpression of a Kinase-deficient Transforming Growth Factor-β Type II Receptor in Mouse Mammary Stroma Results in Increased Epithelial Branching

Members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily signal through heteromeric type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Transgenic mice that overexpress a dominant-negative mutation of the TGF-β type II receptor (DNIIR) under the control of a metallothionein-derived promoter (MT-DNIIR) were used to determine the role of endogenous TGF-βs in the developing mammary gland. The expression of the dominant-negative receptor was induced with zinc and was primarily localized to the stroma underlying the ductal epithelium in the mammary glands of virgin transgenic mice from two separate mouse lines. In MT-DNIIR virgin females treated with zinc, there was an increase in lateral branching of the ductal epithelium. We tested the hypothesis that expression of the dominant-negative receptor may alter expression of genes that are expressed in the stroma and regulated by TGF-βs, potentially resulting in the increased lateral branching seen in the MT-DNIIR mammary glands. The expression of hepatocyte growth factor mRNA was increased in mammary glands from transgenic animals relative to the wild-type controls, suggesting that this factor may play a role in TGF-β-mediated regulation of lateral branching. Loss of responsiveness to TGF-βs in the mammary stroma resulted in increased branching in mammary epithelium, suggesting that TGF-βs play an important role in the stromal–epithelial interactions required for branching morphogenesis.
Acculturation and Sex-Role Attitudes among Mexican Americans: A Longitudinal Analysis

Following a brief introduction to the acculturation process and Mexican American culture, the authors propose that people of Mexican heritage in the United States tend to assimilate rather than int...
Planning information utilities for community excellence

Abstract : Introductory material is presented concerning proposed information utility prototypes and ground rules for planning them. Portions of this document are not fully legible.
Effect of Health-Related Stereotypes on Physiological Responses of Hypertensive Middle-Aged and Older Men

This study examined the influence of health stereotypes on stress response among middle-aged and older men. It was hypothesized that anxiety and cardiovascular reactivity would increase when health stereotypes were activated among veterans seeking care in an outpatient setting. Among a sample of 122 veteran patients with hypertension, the level of stereotype activation varied by means of reference to either their health status (health stereotypes) or, conversely, some personally valued leisure activities (no stereotype activation). Predicted stereotype-related increases in anxiety, galvanized skin conductance, and blood pressure were evident. Potential explanations for these results are explored, including those relating to the negative health stereotypes associated with being a patient.
Real-time adaptive A*

Characters in real-time computer games need to move smoothly and thus need to search in real time. In this paper, we describe a simple but powerful way of speeding up repeated A* searches with the same goal states, namely by updating the heuristics between A* searches. We then use this technique to develop a novel real-time heuristic search method, called Real-Time Adaptive A*, which is able to choose its local search spaces in a fine-grained way. It updates the values of all states in its local search spaces and can do so very quickly. Our experimental results for characters in real-time computer games that need to move to given goal coordinates in unknown terrain demonstrate that this property allows Real-Time Adaptive A* to follow trajectories of smaller cost for given time limits per search episode than a recently proposed real-time heuristic search method [5] that is more difficult to implement.
Stresses induced by the addition or removal of overburden and associated thermal effects

In recent years, in situ stress determinations and earthquake source mechanism studies have demonstrated that large deviatoric stresses are common in the upper 10 to 20 km of the continental crust. This study examines the potential role of erosion in the development of the state of stress in the crust. The stress state induced by erosion may be broken down into three separate components: stresses due to the reduction of overburden pressure, stresses due to uplift on a sphere, and thermal stresses. Temperature distributions are calculated as a function of time during an erosional episode; a range of initial temperature distributions and erosion rates are considered. Crustal stress profiles are then obtained assuming elastic behavior at temperatures less than 300°C. During erosion the stress due to removal of overburden pressure is compressional, whereas the stresses due to uplift on a sphere and the thermal stresses are tensional. The latter dominate and we find that erosion leads to predominantly tensional stresses.
Tissue Distribution of Surfactant Proteins A and D in the Mouse

Surfactant proteins A and D, collagen-like lectins (collectins), were first isolated from the lung. In the lung, SP-A and SP-D have roles in surfactant homeostasis and innate immunity. In this study we show that SP-A and SP-D mRNA can be detected in a significant number of non-pulmonary tissues but the proteins have a more limited distribution. SP-D protein was detected in lung, uterus, ovary, and lacrimal gland, whereas SP-A protein was detected only in the lung. The results suggest that SP-D participates in mucosal immunity throughout the body.
Sensory Training Effects on Obstacle Avoidance in Healthy Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a five-day balance training program on obstacle avoidance measures in a group of healthy older adults. A 2 × 3 repeated measures MANOVA revealed no significant differences between three groups of older adult participants. A follow-up paired t-test revealed a significant difference between the control group and the experimental and walking control groups for pre- and post-tests. These results suggest that a five-day program is ineffective for improving measures of toe clearance, heel clearance, horizontal shear, and gait velocity, but may be beneficial in delaying a loss in obstacle crossing speed in healthy older adults.
The Decision to Breastfeed The Importance of Fathers' Approval

One hundred fifteen postpartum mothers who were within 24 hours of delivery completed a questionnaire to determine factors which may influence a mother's intention to breastfeed and to evaluate specifically the effect of working outside of the home. In our population of mostly middle-class married and insured women, working outside of the home was not significantly related to the decision to breastfeed (67.9% of working mothers, compared to 67.2% of those who did not plan to work postpartum, planned to at least partially breastfeed). The only factors that significantly related to breastfeeding intention pertained to the father's level of education and to his approval of breastfeeding. Strong approval of breastfeeding by the father was associated with a high incidence of breastfeeding (98.1 %), compared to only 26.9% breastfeeding when the father was indifferent to feeding choice (P<0.001).
Molecular pathways: environmental estrogens activate nongenomic signaling to developmentally reprogram the epigenome.

Exposure to environmental xenoestrogens is a major health concern because of the ability of these compounds to perturb estrogen receptor (ER) signaling and act as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). Inappropriate exposure to EDCs during development, even at low doses, can predispose individuals to an increased lifetime risk of disease, including cancer. Recent data indicate that perinatal exposure to EDCs increases cancer risk by (re)programming the epigenome via alterations in DNA and histone methylation. We and others have begun to dissect the mechanisms by which xenoestrogens disrupt the epigenetic machinery to reprogram the epigenome and induce developmental reprogramming. Our studies revealed that xenoestrogens induce nongenomic ER signaling to activate PI3K/AKT, resulting in AKT phosphorylation and inactivation of the histone methyltransferase EZH2, thus providing a direct link to disruption of the epigenome. Other epigenetic “readers, writers, and erasers” may also be targeted by nongenomic signaling, suggesting this is a central mechanism by which xenoestrogens and other EDCs disrupt the epigenome to induce developmental reprogramming. Elucidating mechanisms of developmental reprogramming of the epigenome is important for understanding how environmental exposures increase cancer risk, and provides a rationale for developing epigenetic interventions that can reverse the effects of environmental exposures to reduce cancer risk. Clin Cancer Res; 19(14); 3732–7. ©2013 AACR .
Inferring Player Rating from Performance Data in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs)

This paper examines online player performance in EverQuest II, a popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Sony Online Entertainment. The study uses the game's player performance data to devise performance metrics for online players. We report three major findings. First, we show that the game's point-scaling system overestimates performances of lower level players and underestimates performances of higher level players. We present a novel point-scaling system based on the game's player performance data that addresses the underestimation and overestimation problems. Second, we present a highly accurate predictive model for player performance as a function of past behavior. Third, we show that playing in groups impacts individual performance and that player-level characteristics alone are insufficient in explaining an individual's performance, which calls for a different set of performance metrics methods.
Ultrastructural and Biochemical Evaluation of Adrenal Medullary Hyperplasia and Pheochromocytoma in Aged Bulls

Pheochromocytomas and adrenal medullary hyperplasia were investigated ultrastructurally and by assaying catecholamines in tissue and urine. Three of seven bulls had concomitant thyroid C-cell neoplasms and normal parathyroid glands. Pheochromocytomas were either bilateral or unilateral, and were composed of large chromaffin cells predominantly in the storage phase of the secretory cycle. Two pheochromocytomas were composed of cells with ultrastructural characteristics of the epinephrine-secreting type and contained round secretory granules of low electron density. The norepinephrine-secreting type of chromaffin cell predominated in one pheochromocytoma and had storage granules with an electron-dense, eccentric core and a wide submembranous space. Two pheochromocytomas were composed of a mixture of epinephrine- and norepinephrine-secreting cells. Adrenal medullary hyperplasia in four bulls consisted of multinodular or diffuse areas of hyperchromatic chromaffin cells that were non-encapsulated, and compressed adjacent cortical tissue. Tissue and urinary concentrations of norepinephrine were increased in bulls with adrenal medullary hyperplasia or pheochromocytoma, but urinary vanillylmandelic acid and unconjugated epinephrine levels were not different from those of control bulls with a normal adrenal medulla.
Cooling of an Atom in a Cavity to the Quantum Ground State of Axial Motion

Localization to the ground state of axial motion is demonstrated for a single, trapped atom strongly coupled to the field of a high-finesse optical resonator. Applications in Quantum Optics and Information Science will be discussed.
Contention-induced latchup

Traditional external latchup trigger mechanisms include transmission line reflections which create large overshoot or undershoot voltages, power supply sequencing of multiple supplies, or discharge of charged cables or human discharges on cables or connectors. This case study will demonstrate the interaction between I/O circuit design, card design, and test structure design which combined to create a card-level latchup failure at typical use conditions. In this investigation of a failing 0.18/spl mu/m non-epitaxial CMOS ASIC chip, a new latchup trigger mechanism is identified. This contention-induced latchup involved IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan structures for open-drain drivers which produce transient driver contention during JTAG testing on an unused, dotted, I/sup 2/C bus whose off chip drivers employed a Miller feedback capacitor in the I/sup 2/C driver output stage. Ironically, the common occurrence of tying off four unused I/sup 2/C drivers on a standard product was the initial factor which contributed to the card-level latchup failure. This paper also examines the domino behavior of latchup as it spreads from the initial trigger device to adjacent transistors as illustrated by the failing chip behavior at the tester and the physical failure analysis.
Toward a Theory of Restraint

Consumption largely remains a black box in the population, environment, and global change debates. The dominant perspective takes insatiability as axiomatic and assumes that reduced consumption will only happen through scarcity or the impositions of external authority. Yet humans often exhibit resource limiting behavior that is not the result of external controls nor is it altruistic or aberrant. This article develops the concept ofrestraint as an evolutionarily and culturally significant behavior, yet one that in modern times has been relegated to a regressive, if not trivial, status. The article defines restraint, hypothesizes its historical and evolutionary roots, lays out the conditions under which it can occur, and develops a theoretical parallel to cooperation in international relations theory.
Are ground squirrels sleep deprived during hibernation

Hibernation is an adaptation for energy conservation, which probably evolved as an extension of non-rapid-eye-movement sleep mechanisms. Yet, during periodic arousals from bouts of deep hibernation, ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) spend most of their time asleep. Spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram revealed that cortical slow-wave intensity during sleep is high at the beginning of a euthermic period and declines thereafter. Sleep slow-wave intensity is greater after longer bouts of hibernation than after shorter bouts. We hypothesize that low body temperatures during hibernation are incompatible with the restorative function of sleep as reflected in cortical slow-wave activity. Animals must incur the energetic costs of periodic arousals from hibernation to receive the restorative benefits of euthermic slow-wave sleep. The timing of arousals from hibernation may be a function of accumulated sleep debt.
WORKER DISPLACEMENT AND CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING: A POLICY-CONSCIOUS APPRAISAL

This article examines the problem of worker displacement from the perspective of non-traditional corporate strategies. Fundamentally different types of corporate strategies, reflecting different production contexts, such as Fordist and other modes of production, require different policy responses. In the past, policies addressing worker displacement have been post hoc, focusing principally on groups of unemployed people. New forms of work organization and management resilience offer the promise of developing policies that affect corporate strategy. Accordingly, policy may be designed to prevent worker displacement through constructive, not coercive, public- private sector coordination. Three representative types of non-traditional corporate strategies are identified and discussed in terms of their implications for policy. The concluding section discusses the geographic implications of people-targeted policies in terms of the geography of urban labor markets in the contemporary U.S. industrial environment.
Phase Matching and Control of High Harmonic Generation and Applications in Materials Dynamics

High harmonic generation is a unique source of ultrafast coherent x-ray radiation. This talk will discuss advances in source technology using phase matching, pulse shaping and phase stabilization, and also discuss applications in time-resolved spectroscopy.
Beyond the Deal Using Industrial Recruitment as a Strategic Tool for Manufacturing Development

Industrial recruitment continues to play a significant role in the development of manufacturing industries in the U.S. South. Still, there are signs of shifting practice that not only emphasize a different set of regional advantages from earlier decades but equally help bolster those same advantages to anchor outside firms to the region. This article presents a case study of the strategic use of industrial recruitment to build out North Carolina’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. This case study helps shed light on how recruitment practices can be designed and improved to support continued manufacturing job growth, but in ways that also limit the recruitment of potentially footloose establishments. As such, it presents an alternative perspective to recent studies of industrial recruitment that focus narrowly on efforts to limit or curb locational incentives for industry attraction.
Inverse associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in obese American children and adolescents.

Objectives To examine the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese American children. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 209 obese children (55% females, 25.8% black) aged between 6 and 19 years old. Study measurements included plasma 25(OH)D concentrations, blood pressure, lipids and oxidized LDL levels, insulin resistance (IR) indices from glucose, insulin and 5 hour oral glucose tolerance test. Results Fifty-one percent of the children had vitamin D deficiency. Older age [OR (95% CI) = 1.16 (1.00, 1.35)], black race/ethnicity [15.39 (5.79, 40.92)], winter/spring season [3.46 (1.69, 7.02)] and higher body mass index (BMI) [1.05 (0.99, 1.11)] were associated with increased odds of having vitamin D deficiency. None of cardiometabolic risk factors examined were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency in age, race/ethnicity, season, and BMI adjusted models. In age, race/ethnicity, season and BMI adjusted models, total cholesterol (β = −0.001, P = 0.013), non-HDL-C (β = −0.001, P = 0.014), and oxidized LDL (β = −0.087, P = 0.045) were inversely associated with log-transformed 25(OH)D. An approximate 10 mg/dl increase in total cholesterol or in non-HDL-C was associated with an approximate 1.3% decrease in the geometric mean of 25(OH)D concentration. Further a 10% increase in ox-LDL levels was associated with an approximate 0.8% decrease in the geometric mean of 25(OH)D. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in obese American children. There was evidence that some cardiometabolic risk factors including lipid levels and oxidized LDL levels were significantly inversely associated with 25(OH)D concentration in our sample. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:736–742, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Beekeeping Regions and the Beekeeping Industry in Colombia

(1976). Beekeeping Regions and the Beekeeping Industry in Colombia. Bee World: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 151-158.