cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
p53 codon 72 Arg homozygotes are associated with an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma.

The p53 gene plays an important role in cell cycle control, facilitating DNA repair activities in response to DNA damage. Aberrant cell cycle control impairs DNA repair and increases the probability of mutations that can lead to carcinogenesis. The p53 gene is polymorphic at codon 72 (Arg/Pro) of its protein, which is functionally distinct, leading to inquiry into its role in carcinogenesis. In this hospital-based case-control study of 289 newly diagnosed patients with melanoma and 308 cancer-free control subjects, we evaluated whether the p53 codon 72 variant is associated with risk of cutaneous melanoma (CM). The controls were frequency-matched to the cases by age, sex, and ethnicity. The frequency of the p53 Arg allele was 78.2% in cases and 73.2% in controls (p=0.045), and the genotype frequencies of p53 Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, and Pro/Pro were 62.6%, 31.1%, and 6.3%, respectively, in the cases, and 53.9%, 38.6%, and 7.5%, respectively, in the controls (p=0.096). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the p53 Arg/Arg genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of melanoma (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02–2.02) compared with other genotypes, and this association was more evident in subgroups of older subjects (OR=2.32; 95% CI=1.39–388), and subjects with Fitzpatrick's skin type III or IV (OR=1.69; 95% CI=1.11–2.59). In conclusion, this study found some evidence that in subjects over 50, p53 Arg/Arg genotype is associated with increased risk of CM as compared to genotypes Arg/Pro or Pro/Pro. Further larger studies are needed to substantiate our findings.
BEHAVIOR AND TRANSPORT OF RADIONUCLIDES IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BETWEEN HANFORD AND VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON1

A study of the behavior and transport hy the Columbia River of the eloven radionuclidcs 48Sc, “Cr, “Mn, 68Co, ‘OFc, “Co, 06Zn, eGZr-e5Nb, IOORu, ““Sb, and ‘“Ba was carried out in the river reach between Pasco and Vancouver, Washington, during the period January 1964 through January 1965. This study was accomplished by direct counting of water salts and filter samples on a multidimensional gamma-ray spectrometer and rcprcscnts the first measurements of the interactions of most of these radionuclides in the river. Through this multiple tracer technique, the specific and relative behaviors of these radionuclidcs in regard to their sorption by and movement with suspended particulate matter in the Columbia River were determined. Depiction of these radionuclides from the river during transport and the radionuclide inventory in the stream bed for the river reach bctwecn Pas& and Vancouver were also estimated.
Three-step PCR mutagenesis for 'linker scanning'.

'Linker scanning' has been used as an efficient method for systematically surveying a segment of DNA for functional elements by mutagenesis. A three-step PCR method was developed to simplify this process. In this method, a set of 'mutation primers' was made with 6 to 8 base substitutions in the center of the primers. In the first PCR reaction, these 'mutation primers' are paired with an 3' primer from the opposite end of the analyzed sequences to form a 'ladder' of fragments containing the base pair substitutions. These are used as templates in the second PCR with the 3' primer as the only primer to generate single stranded sequences, which are used as primers in the third PCR paired with an 5' primer to complete the mutagenesis. We have tested the method in a mutation screen of the steroid sulfatase promoter. Its application to general site specific mutagenesis is discussed.
Mapping and calibration of modern pollen-vegetation relationships in the southeastern United States

Abstract We present the first comprehensive evaluation of the quantitative pollen—vegetation relationship for major tree taxa distributed across the southeastern United States. A total of 250 modern pollen spectra (134 spectra contributed by colleagues and an additional 116 spectra that we have collected and counted) provide widespread and relatively uniform coverage across the Southeast. At least one modern pollen spectrum is now available for each 1° latitude by 1° longitude block for the area extending from 29° N to 37°N and 75°W to 95°W. For this region, we have used the most recent Continuous Forest Inventories for merchantable timber to derive estimates of percent growing-stock volume at the spatial scale of both county and larger forest inventory units. For nineteen arboreal taxa, we illustrate contoured maps for precent arboreal pollen (isopoll maps) and percent tree dominance (isophyte maps), as well as scatter plots for pairs of positive percentage values for each taxon. We used geometric-mean linear regression of arboreal pollen percentages against percentages of growing-stock volume to estimate the slope and intercept of a best-fit line and the correlation coefficient of pollen values with tree values. These calibrations are compared with the results of Webb et al. (1981) from the midwestern United States. In these two calibration sets, certain taxa such as Quercus exhibit similar values for both the slope of the regression line and the y-intercept in spite of regional differences in the number and taxonomic composition of Quercus species present. For other taxa such as Pinus, however, the northern and southern groups of species exhibit distinctly different slopes and intercepts. This divergence in calibrations occurs both because different species of Pinus are involved and because pollen productivity of Pinus relative to that of other taxa is different in the two regions. Calibrations of percent arboreal pollen with percent growing-stock volume in the southeastern United States yield new insights that result in a substantive revision in concepts of pollen—vegetation representation.
Lift Enhancement by Static Extended Trailing Edge

A static extended trailing edge attached to a NACA0012 airfoil section is studied for achieving lift enhancement at a small drag penalty. It is indicated that the thin extended trailing edge can enhance the lift, whereas the zero-lift drag is not significantly increased. Experiments and calculations are conducted to compare the aerodynamic characteristics of the extended trailing edge with those of the Gurney flap and the conventional flap. The extended trailing edge, as a simple mechanical device added on a wing without altering the basic configuration, has a good potential to improve the cruise flight efficiency.
An hydroxylapatite batch assay for the quantitation of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-receptor complexes

Abstract A versatile hydroxylapatite batch assay for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-receptor complex from chick intestinal mucosa has been developed. The assay has been characterized with respect to time and temperature of incubations, protein concentration, amount of hydroxylapatite required to bind receptor-steroid complexes, pH, and effects of KCl and phosphate. Triton X-100 (0,5%, v v ) was found to be essential for the removal of nonspecifically bound ligand. The hydroxylapatite was shown to bind the 1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 receptor as demonstrated by the specificity and high affinity for 1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 and the sedimentation properties of the phosphate-extracted hydroxylapatite-bound complex on sucrose density gradients. Binding appears to be nearly quantitative. The efficient separation of bound from free ligand utilizing this assay makes it possible to examine a number of aspects of the binding of this steroid hormone to its cytoplasmic receptor that has not previously been possible.
Novel TRF1/BRF target genes revealed by genome-wide analysis of Drosophila Pol III transcription.

Metazoans have evolved multiple paralogues of the TATA binding protein (TBP), adding another tunable level of gene control at core promoters. While TBP-related factor 1 (TRF1) shares extensive homology with TBP and can direct both Pol II and Pol III transcription in vitro, TRF1 target sites in vivo have remained elusive. Here, we report the genome-wide identification of TRF1-binding sites using high-resolution genome tiling microarrays. We found 354 TRF1-binding sites genome-wide with ∼78% of these sites displaying colocalization with BRF. Strikingly, the majority of TRF1 target genes are Pol III-dependent small noncoding RNAs such as tRNAs and small nonmessenger RNAs. We provide direct evidence that the TRF1/BRF complex is functionally required for the activity of two novel TRF1 targets (7SL RNA and small nucleolar RNAs). Our studies suggest that unlike most other eukaryotic organisms that rely on TBP for Pol III transcription, in Drosophila and possibly other insects the alternative TRF1/BRF complex appears responsible for the initiation of all known classes of Pol III transcription.
Phosphorylation of component a of the human erythrocyte membrane in myotonic muscular dystrophy

Endogenous membrane protein kinase activity in fresh erythrocyte ghosts is altered in myotonic muscular dystrophy. Phosphorylation of erythrocyte Component a, which migrates with an apparent molecular weight of 90,000 to 100,000, is significantly reduced compared to age- and sex-matched controls. The difference in endogenous membrane protein kinase activity in fresh RBC membranes lends confirmation to the suggestion that myotonic dystrophy is a disease of widespread membrane alterations.
An assessment of the interaction between cholecystokinin and the opiates within a drug discrimination procedure

Recently, cholecystokinin (CCK) has been reported to antagonize a variety of opiate-induced effects, including nociception, body shaking, thermoregulation, and locomotion. Consistent with these results, a number of CCK antagonists potentiate the opiates in a range of behavioral and physiological assessments. The present study further examined the interaction between CCK and the opiates within the conditioned taste aversion baseline of drug discrimination learning, a design that utilizes the stimulus properties of the drug to control consummatory behavior. Specifically, animals injected with CCK prior to saccharin-LiCl pairings and the CCK vehicle prior to saccharin alone rapidly acquired the CCK-vehicle discrimination, avoiding saccharin consumption following the administration of CCK and consuming the same saccharin solution following the vehicle. Although the stimulus properties of CCK did not generalize to either naloxone or diprenorphine, morphine blocked and naloxone potentiated CCK's stimulus effects. These data are thus consistent with a physiological (rather than a pharmacological) interaction between CCK and the opiates.
Childhood Bereavement: Psychopathology in the 2 Years Postparental Death.

ABSTRACT Objective Although the death of a parent is one of the most significant stressors a child can experience, the psychiatric sequelae of parental death are not fully understood. Method A total of 360 parent-bereaved children (ages 6-17) and their surviving parents were directly interviewed four times during the first 2 years following the death (at 2, 6, 13, and 25 months). Data collection occurred from 1989 to 1996. Psychiatric symptomatology was compared among the bereaved children, 110 depressed children, and 128 community control children and their informant parents. Additional analyses examined simple bereavement without other stressors versus complex bereavement with other stressors and anticipated versus unanticipated death. Results Bereavement following parental death is associated with increased psychiatric problems in the first 2 years after death. Bereaved children are, however, less impaired than children diagnosed with clinical depression. Higher family socioeconomic status and lower surviving parents' level of depressive symptoms are associated with better outcomes. Complex bereavement was associated with a worse course, but anticipation of the death was not. Conclusions Childhood bereavement from parental death is a significant stressor. Children who experience depression in combination with parental depression or in the context of other family stressors are at the most risk of depression and overall psychopathology.
Green's function solution for axisymmetric vibration of flexible liquid-filled storage tanks

Abstract The dynamic response of a flexible, liquid-filled cylindrical storage tank subjected to high frequency vertical ground motions is investigated theoretically. The tank motion is idealized as that of a uniform, elastic, thin-walled cylindrical shell undergoing radial displacements; all axial deformations are neglected. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid and linearly compressible and to undergo small-amplitude, irrotational motion. Both the structural and fluid motions are expressed in terms of appropriate Green's functions. The axisymmetry of the response then leads to a pair of coupled line integral equations for the fluid velocity potential and its normal derivative on the walls of the tank. These equations are then solved numerically. Results are presented which illustrate the influence of the frequency of ground excitation and the various geometric and material parameters on the hydrodynamic pressure distribution and associated dynamic response of several example structures.
Grief and the Role of the Inner Representation of the Deceased

The primary purpose of this research is to determine whether memories of the deceased play active roles in the ongoing lives of survivors. Twenty-six men and forty-five women, aged eighteen to fifty-four, described a significant death. Four roles were reliably identified and labeled role model, situation specific guidance, values clarification, and remembrance formation. Role adoption was predicted by closeness of relationship and suddenness of death. The anticipated association of the role with relationship to deceased and with degree of grief resolution was not found. Results were discussed in relation to mainstream theories of grief resolution and grief therapy.
Martian surface properties indicated by the opposition effect

Radiative transfer expressions are used to derive average surface particle single-scattering albedos, phase functions and porosities from a photometric comparison of Viking Orbiter opposition measurements of the Martian Arabia, Syrtis Major and Elysium Planitia regions with several generic features. The best functional fit to the data includes consideration of atmospheric scattering, two-particle populations and surface roughness. It is found that (1) the presence of high albedo, high porosity surface particles is ubiquitous, (2) opposition surge is absent in the Syrtis Major region, and (3) the Chryse areas possess the largest surface roughness.
The moral audience: On the narrative mediation of moral “judgment” and moral “action”

Because the moral life is distinctly storied and, in a related way, theatrical in nature, the phenomenon of the moral audiena provides a narrative link between moral judgment and moral action.
Analytical modeling and experimental study of human workload in scheduling of advanced manufacturing systems

Human supervisory control of advanced manufacturing systems is characterized by dynamic, discrete, and random decision-making tasks. With humans in the system control loop, there is a concern on cognitive task allocation based on human mental workload and performance. Traditional task analysis techniques based on observable actions are no longer appropriate. In this article, an analytical model was developed based on the conceptual model of human workload prediction proposed by Salvendy (Salvendy, 1993). This model is suggested to predict task load and human workload based on system engineering parameters: task arrival rate, task complexity, task uncertainty, and task performance requirement. This article also reports on an experimental study in which the sensitivity of the proposed engineering parameters on human workload and the validity of the analytical model were studied. A real time scheduling simulator of an advanced manufacturing system was implemented and configured with experiment data. The results support strongly the analytical model and further the conceptual model of human workload prediction. It is expected that the derived cognitive task analysis method and prediction models could be used for dynamic decision-making system design with random task arrivals.
Canal–Otolith Interactions and Detection Thresholds of Linear and Angular Components During Curved-Path Self-Motion

Gravitational signals arising from the otolith organs and vertical plane rotational signals arising from the semicircular canals interact extensively for accurate estimation of tilt and inertial acceleration. Here we used a classical signal detection paradigm to examine perceptual interactions between otolith and horizontal semicircular canal signals during simultaneous rotation and translation on a curved path. In a rotation detection experiment, blindfolded subjects were asked to detect the presence of angular motion in blocks where half of the trials were pure nasooccipital translation and half were simultaneous translation and yaw rotation (curved-path motion). In separate, translation detection experiments, subjects were also asked to detect either the presence or the absence of nasooccipital linear motion in blocks, in which half of the trials were pure yaw rotation and half were curved path. Rotation thresholds increased slightly, but not significantly, with concurrent linear velocity magnitude. Yaw rotation detection threshold, averaged across all conditions, was 1.45 ± 0.81°/s (3.49 ± 1.95°/s2). Translation thresholds, on the other hand, increased significantly with increasing magnitude of concurrent angular velocity. Absolute nasooccipital translation detection threshold, averaged across all conditions, was 2.93 ± 2.10 cm/s (7.07 ± 5.05 cm/s2). These findings suggest that conscious perception might not have independent access to separate estimates of linear and angular movement parameters during curved-path motion. Estimates of linear (and perhaps angular) components might instead rely on integrated information from canals and otoliths. Such interaction may underlie previously reported perceptual errors during curved-path motion and may originate from mechanisms that are specialized for tilt-translation processing during vertical plane rotation.
STARS & DASR GBSAA 2011 & 2012 Demos

The article consists of a PowerPoint presentation on "STARS & DASR GBSAA." The specific areas/topics discussed include: STARS NextGen GBSAA Activities; 2011 Gray Butte GBSAA POC Demo; 2011 NEO Spiral 2 UA Operations Research; 2012 Cannon AFB GBSAA Demo; 2012 Edwards AFB an Gray Butte; and DASR & STARS 3D Demos.
A two-stage neural network based technique for protein secondary structure prediction

Protein secondary structure prediction is one of the most important research areas in bioinformatics. In this paper, we propose a two-stage protein secondary structure prediction technique, implemented using neural network models. The first neural network stage of the proposed technique associates the input protein sequence to a bin containing its corresponding homologues. The second stage predicts the secondary structure of the input sequence utilizing a neural prediction model specific to the bin obtained from stage one. The strategy of binning allows for simplified and accurate neural models. This technique is implemented on the RS126 dataset and its prediction accuracy is compared with that of the standard PHD approach.
Recruitment of human muscleblind proteins to (CUG)(n) expansions associated with myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder associated with a (CTG)n expansion in the 3′-untranslated region of the DM1 protein kinase (DMPK) gene. To explain disease pathogenesis, the RNA dominance model proposes that the DM1 mutation produces a gain-of-function at the RNA level in which CUG repeats form RNA hairpins that sequester nuclear factors required for proper muscle development and maintenance. Here, we identify the triplet repeat expansion (EXP) RNA-binding proteins as candidate sequestered factors. As predicted by the RNA dominance model, binding of the EXP proteins is specific for dsCUG RNAs and proportional to the size of the triplet repeat expansion. Remarkably, the EXP proteins are homologous to the Drosophila muscleblind proteins required for terminal differentiation of muscle and photoreceptor cells. EXP expression is also activated during mammalian myoblast differentiation, but the EXP proteins accumulate in nuclear foci in DM1 cells. We propose that DM1 disease is caused by aberrant recruitment of the EXP proteins to the DMPK transcript (CUG)n expansion.
Partner condom use among adolescent girls with sexually transmitted diseases

Abstract Purpose: To explore associations of self-reported condom use with sexual risk knowledge and behaviors, perceptions of peer condom use, and communication with sexual partners about condom use among adolescent girls with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Methods: Adolescent girls with cervicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) completed a 62-item self-administered questionnaire on sexual risk knowledge and behaviors, condom use, perceptions of peer condom use, and condom use negotiation with partners. Associations with frequency of condom use and condom use at last sexual intercourse were analyzed. Results: A total of 24 girls were enrolled: 13 with cervicitis and 11 with PID; 22 had complete data for analysis. Compared with girls who reported low frequency of condom use, girls who reported condom use all or most of the time were younger (16.7 vs. 19.5 years; p = .008), were less likely to have a prior history of STD (67% vs. 0%; p = .03), and were more likely to think that all or most of their friends use condoms (72% vs. 0%; p = .02). Compared with girls who had not used a condom with last sexual intercourse, girls who had used a condom were younger (16.2 vs. 17.9 years; p = .04), had fewer lifetime partners (2.7 vs. 8.4; p = .03) and had higher mean scores in condom use negotiation (29.1 vs. 24.4; p = .02), and were more likely to think that all or most of their friends used condoms (100% vs. 31%; p = .001). Knowledge about condoms and STD prevention was high (mean 14.3 ± 2.3 of 16) but was not associated with condom use. Conclusions: STD interventions for partner condom use among high-risk adolescent girls must recognize the decrease in condom use with increasing age and focus on maintaining safer sex behaviors, building condom use negotiation skills, and promoting the perception of condom use by friends.
The impact of U. S. regulatio of foreign investment

Since 1968, U.S. multinational companies have been operating under compulsory governmental restrictions upon foreign direct investment, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Direct Investment. This study asks to what extent the imposition of OFDI regulations led firms to depart from traditional corporate financing policies or techniques, and what relationship this reaction had to evolution and change in the money and capital markets.
Temporal Discounting Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Mortality among Community-Based Older Persons without Dementia

Background Temporal discounting is an important determinant of many health and financial outcomes, but we are not aware of studies that have examined the association of temporal discounting with mortality. Methods Participants were 406 older persons without dementia from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a longitudinal cohort study of aging. Temporal discounting was measured using standard preference elicitation questions. Individual discount rates were estimated using a well-established hyperbolic function and used to predict the risk of mortality during up to 5 years of follow-up. Results The mean estimate of discounting was 0.45 (SD = 0.33, range: 0.08–0.90), with higher scores indicating a greater propensity to prefer smaller immediate rewards over larger but delayed ones. During up to 5 years of follow-up (mean = 3.6 years), 62 (15% of 406) persons died. In a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, and education, temporal discounting was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR = 1.103, 95% CI 1.024, 1.190, p = 0.010). Thus, a person with the highest discount rate (score = 0.90) was about twice more likely to die over the study period compared to a person with the lowest discount rate (score = 0.08). Further, the association of discounting with mortality persisted after adjustment for the level of global cognitive function, the burden of vascular risk factors and diseases, and an indicator of psychological well being (i.e., purpose in life). Conclusion Temporal discounting is associated with an increased risk of mortality in old age after accounting for global cognitive function and indicators of physical and mental health.
Investigation of MEMS bi-material sensors with metamaterial absorbers for THz imaging

There has been a continued interest in the terahertz (THz) imaging due to penetration and non-ionizing properties. Realtime imaging in this spectral range has been demonstrated using infrared microbolometer technology with external illumination by quantum cascade lasers (QCL). However, to achieve high sensitivity, it is necessary to develop focal plane arrays using enhanced THz-absorbing materials. One attractive option to achieve real time THz imaging is MEMS bi-material sensor with embedded metamaterial absorbers, consisting of a periodic array of metallic squared elements separated from a homogeneous metallic ground plane by a dielectric layer. We have demonstrated that the metamaterial films can be designed using standard MEMS materials such as silicon oxide (SiO x ), silicon oxinitrate (SiO x N y ) and aluminum (Al), to achieve nearly 100 % resonant absorption matched to the illumination source, while providing structural support, desired thermomechanical properties and access to external optical readout. The metamaterial structure absorbs the incident THz radiation and transfers the heat to bi-material microcantilevers that are connected to the substrate, which acts as a heat sink, via thermal insulating legs. A temperature gradient builds up in the legs, allowing the overall structure to deform proportionally to the absorbed power. The amount of deformation can be probed by measuring the displacement of a laser beam reflected from the sensor’s metallic ground plane. Several sensor configurations have been designed, fabricated and characterized to optimize responsivity, speed of operation and minimize structural residual stress. Measured figures of merit indicate that the THz MEMS sensors have a great potential for real-time imaging.
Power, severity, and context in disagreement

Abstract This paper examines the act of disagreement as realized in university settings and the choice of linguistic markers used to soften or strengthen disagreement. It is based on a corpus of natural data containing over 450 turns in which disagreement was expressed in university courses and academic talks. Brown and Levinson's (1987) factors of power and rating can be used to understand some of the ways in which disagreement was expressed in the natural data, but these factors cannot be treated as formulaic variables, nor are they sufficient to account for all means for expressing disagreement. Relative power of interlocutors was relevant in that the professors observed here used more markers of positive politeness when disagreeing with students than did peers disagreeing with each other or students disagreeing with professors. Severity of disagreement (Brown and Levinson's rating of imposition) could have two opposite results: in one, politeness was increased to lessen face threat to the addressee; in the other, face threat to the speaker outweighed considerations of the addressee's face, leading to aggravated disagreement. Face maintenance concerns, however, do not account for how disagreement was used to serve pedagogical aims, specifically when disagreement was used as part of the elicitation sequence.
Comparative Left Ventricular Function Following Atrial, Septal, and Apical Single Chamber Heart Pacing in the Young

Ventricular pacing, typically initiated from a RV apical electrode, inherently causes abnormal biventricular activation, decrease LV function, and causes histopathological changes. Since pacing initiated in childhood can be expected to have a more protracted course compared with the adult, the consequences of this alteration in LV hemodynamics gain added significance among the young pacemaker recipient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of improving paced LV function by a septal electrode implant site. Acute alterations in cardiac index, LV pressure, and contraction indices, including dP/dt, Vmax, and Vpm, were compared among 22 patients (median age 10 years) with normal cardiac anatomy during intracardiac electrophysiological studies. LV hemodynamics were measured during intrinsic rhythms and following 15 minutes of atrial, RV apical, and septal pacing at an appropriate exercise rate for age of 150 ppm. Results showed a significant decrease in LV dP/dt, Vmax, and Vpm, and increase in LV end-diastolic pressure only with apical pacing. Septal pacing, in spite of loss of any atrial contribution to ventricular filling, maintained comparable indices with intrinsic and atrial paced rhythms. This study demonstrates that normalized LV function is maintained by septal and deteriorates with apical pacing acutely among young, nonischemic hearts. Continued evaluation of appropriate pacing electrode designs to permit septal implant is needed to ensure optimal chronically paced LV function.
Job satisfaction of paramedics: The effects of gender and type of agency of employment

Study objectives: To document specific factors important in paramedic job satisfaction and job performance. Design and type of participants: A cohort analysis sampled 63 male public-agency paramedics and 131 private-agency paramedics (90 male, 41 female). Methods: Three scales from the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire measured total job satisfaction. A four-item scale assessed attitudes toward paramedic job performance. Results: Fire paramedics reported highest levels of overall satisfaction, followed by male and female private-agency paramedics. Fire paramedics reported higher levels of intrinsic job satisfaction (eg, opportunity to learn new things) than private-agency paramedics. Differences in extrinsic job satisfaction (eg, pay, benefits) were even greater between fire paramedics and private-agency paramedics. Fire paramedics reported higher satisfaction than female private-agency paramedics with the social rewards of work (eg, the way they are treated by their coworkers). These findings were not explained by age, race, education level, and years on the job. Analysis of the attitudes toward paramedic job performance scale suggested that male paramedics are more likely to believe that female paramedics are not as capable of performing certain job functions. Conclusion: Type of agency and gender affect job satisfaction. Male public-agency paramedics are most satisfied, and female private-agency paramedics are least satisfied with their jobs.
6,7-dihydroxyisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids are potent inhibitors on the binding of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) to IGF-binding proteins: optimization of the 1-position benzoyl side chain.

Abstract A series of 1-benzoyl isoquinolines, based on compound 1, was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to displace IGF-I from its complex with IGF_binding protein-3. Successful modifications of 1 included the replacement of the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl group with a substituted benzyl group. These alternations culminated in the discovery of compounds such as 7o which had excellent in vitro potency (Ki=9.4 nM) but with one less of the labile catechol functionality of 1.
Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Mutant PRKAG2 Define the Cause of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in Glycogen Storage Cardiomyopathy

Background— Mutations in the γ2 subunit (PRKAG2) of AMP-activated protein kinase produce an unusual human cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular hypertrophy and electrophysiological abnormalities: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) and progressive degenerative conduction system disease. Pathological examinations of affected human hearts reveal vacuoles containing amylopectin, a glycogen-related substance. Methods and Results— To elucidate the mechanism by which PRKAG2 mutations produce hypertrophy with electrophysiological abnormalities, we constructed transgenic mice overexpressing the PRKAG2 cDNA with or without a missense N488I human mutation. Transgenic mutant mice showed elevated AMP-activated protein kinase activity, accumulated large amounts of cardiac glycogen (30-fold above normal), developed dramatic left ventricular hypertrophy, and exhibited ventricular preexcitation and sinus node dysfunction. Electrophysiological testing demonstrated alternative atrioventricular conduction pathways co...
Inhibition of Rhizoctonia by endospore forming bacteria indigenous to landscape planting beds

Abstract Endospore forming bacteria were collected from root samples of 35 genera of bedding plants growing in established commercial landscape beds in Central Florida. One hundred and twenty-nine bacterial strains associated with 14 species were identified using fatty acid analysis (Microbial Identification System, MIDI). All strains were evaluated for in vitro inhibition of damping off disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The strongest inhibition of Rhizoctonia by soluble exudates in cocultivation was observed with strains belonging to six species: B. cereus, B. pumilus, B. thuringiensis, L. sphaericus, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. subtilis. Most strains that inhibited Rhizoctonia growth in cocultivation also inhibited growth via volatile compounds. All 129 strains were evaluated for ability to protect impatiens plants from subsequent challenge infection by Rhizoctonia solani. Certain strains of endospore forming bacteria also enhanced plant growth. It is apparent from this study that the Ba...
Translational Research in Acute Central Nervous System Injury: Lessons Learned and the Future

Importance Research to improve outcomes from acute central nervous system (CNS) injury has progressed little, although limited examples (eg, induced hypothermia for out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest and birth asphyxia and tissue plasminogen activator for ischemic stroke) have proved that it is possible to favorably alter outcome. Objective To chronicle the evolution of preclinical research designed to provide therapeutic interventions for acute CNS injury. Evidence Review Preclinical literature cited by major clinical intervention trials was systematically assessed with respect to fulfillment of fundamental elements of experimental design in current guidelines. Findings Preclinical studies of acute CNS injury to date have a poor record of adhering to basic tenets of experimental design, including randomization, concealment of treatment allocation, definition of sustained robustness of therapeutic benefit, and emulation of clinical disease. Major clinical trials continue to be justified and conducted on the basis of weak preclinical evidence. Publication of preclinical research guidelines and endorsement by scientific journals have been insufficient to alter practice. Novel approaches to preclinical therapeutic development, including multicenter phase 3 trials and preclinical trial registries that document a priori experimental design and primary dependent variables, may overcome this intransigence and enhance possibility for therapeutic breakthroughs. Conclusions and Relevance Current knowledge of acute CNS injury dictates that therapeutic discovery and translation apply known tenets of sound experimental design and emulation of the clinical disorder targeted for therapeutic intervention. Peer-review systems must demand these qualities in proposed and published research to assess validity and potential for clinical translation.
Institutional Choice and the Development of U.S. Agricultural Policies in the 1920s

We examine U.S. agricultural policy as an institutional choice. Price controls in World War I had demonstrated the government's influence in markets, and with falling crop prices in the 1920s, farmers appealed to the federal government. The federal government was large enough by then to intervene in various ways. It could have assisted private cooperatives by providing antitrust exemptions, market information, and enforcement of cooperative rules or intervened directly with mandatory output reductions and targeted prices. The policies adopted were influenced by crop-specific characteristics and broader market conditions affecting the success of private cooperatives. F ollowing a period of general prosperity from 1900 through the end of World War I, prices for most agricultural commodities fell dramatically in both nominal and real terms in 1921. Many farmers who had mortgaged their farms were unable to meet their mortgage payments with current receipts, and a wave of bankruptcies and farm foreclosures ensued.' The experience with the Lever Food Control Act of 1917 and the operation of the U.S. Food Administration during World War I had demonstrated the influence that government could have on prices. That lesson was not forgotten, and farmers turned increasingly to legislative action for relief. The nature of the proposed policy and the government response, however, remained to be decided. The eventual choice, shaped by economic and political factors, provided important lessons for the subsequent adoption of farm policies in the 1930s, many of which remain in effect today. The legislative agenda can be divided into two types of actions, each supported by different farm groups. First, there was a call for the sanctioning and promotion of cooperative marketing associations. This activity was consistent with the dismantling of wartime programs
R69-14 Translator Writing Systems

This paper is a survey of the field of translator writing systems, i.e., those programs which are used to automate the construction of compilers. The paper systematically discusses both syntax and semantics of programming languages. Under syntax, the authors consider automatic construction of recognizers (e.g., precedence techniques) and formal studies of syntax (e. g., LR(k) grammars.) Under the general topic of semantics, the authors discuss syntax directed processors with the emphasis on code generation (e.g., META), compiler-compilers (e.g., FSL) and extendible compilers (e.g., ALGOL c and Cheatham's work).
The Alphasat-XL antenna feed array

The next generation of mobile satellite communication systems requires a high degree of flexibility. Large multibeam antennas providing hundreds of beams are used to address this need. A large deployable reflector fed by a high performance feed array provides several technical advantages and has been selected for the Alphasat-XL program. This paper describes the Alphasat-XL primary feed array under development at MDA Corporation. The state-of-the-art high power feed design and its main performance characteristics are presented. The challenging PIM and multipactor requirements and the unique MDA design addressing them are also discussed.
How to Measure “What People do for a Living” in Research on the Socioeconomic Correlates of Health

Abstract PURPOSE: Recent evidence suggests that occupational standing is not independently associated with health outcomes when occupations are ranked using socioeconomic criteria. In this study we ask two questions. First, is occupational standing associated with health outcomes when health-related criteria are used to establish the relative standing of occupations? Second, are job characteristics more closely related to health outcomes than occupational characteristics? METHODS: We use data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study—that includes a unique combination of occupational, job, and health measures—and estimate a series of logistic regression models of the effects of education and job/occupational characteristics on several health outcomes. RESULTS: We find few independent relationships between occupational standing and health, using socioeconomic or health-related criteria. However, we do find some significant relationships between job characteristics and health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that what people do for a living does matter for their health, even beyond the effects of educational attainment, but that to assess the relationships between what people do for a living and their health outcomes we should measure the characteristics of their jobs, not of their occupations.
Understanding Changes in the Asian Summer Monsoon over the Past Millennium: Insights from a Long-Term Coupled Model Simulation*

The Asian summer monsoon (ASM) and its variability were investigated over the past millennium through the analysis of a long-term simulation of the NCAR Climate System Model, version 1.4 (CSM 1.4) coupled model driven with estimated natural and anthropogenic radiative forcing during the period 850‐1999. Analysis of the simulation results indicates that certain previously proposed mechanisms, such as warmer large-scale temperatures favoring a stronger monsoon through their effect on Eurasian snow cover, appear inconsistent with the mechanisms active in the simulation. Forced changes in tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures play an apparent role in the long-term changes in the ASM. Analyses of the simulation results suggest that the direct radiative effect of solar forcing variations on the ASM is quite weak and that dynamical responses may be far more important. Volcanic radiative forcing leads to a clearly detectable shortterm reduction in the strength of the ASM. Comparisons with long-term proxy reconstructions of the ASM are attempted but are limited by the divergent behavior among different reconstructions as well as the limitations in the model’s coupled dynamics.
A systematic study of the aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation of 18 chlorophenols and 3 cresols

Aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation processes for 18 chlorophenols and 3 cresols were systematically evaluated under a controlled laboratory system, using an acclimatized mixed culture of pentachlorophenol-degrading bacteria. The biodegradation processes were characterized based on the lag time (time in hours required to observe 10% degradation of the added test chemical against the control), t90 (time in hours required to degrade 90% of the added test chemical). The results indicate that nonspecific generalizations such as the degree of a chemical's chlorination cannot be reliably used to predict the persistence of chemicals in the environment. On the other hand, a systematic analysis of the molecular structure of analogues and related chemicals, in particular the positions of chlorine substitution on the phenolic ring, appears to be the logical approach to provide useful information for predicting the environmental fate of existing and new chemicals. The substitution effect in dictating a chlorophenol's biodegradability appears to follow in the descending order of 2,4 > 4 > 3,5 > 2,6 > 3, or 5, or 2. Microbial acclimation was found to be a distinct feature associated with the biodegradation of toxic substances and thus having the potential to be utilized in characterizing the biodegradation process of such chemicals. Ignorance of this acclimation period in kinetics study could nullify the usefulness of using mathematical models in predicting the environmental fate of chemical compounds.
Nanoparticle-assisted high photoconductive gain in composites of polymer and fullerene

Polymer-inorganic nanocrystal composites offer an attractive means to combine the merits of organic and inorganic materials into novel electronic and photonic systems. However, many applications of these composites are limited by the solubility and distribution of the nanocrystals in the polymer matrices. Here we show that blending CdTe nanoparticles into a polymer-fullerene matrix followed by solvent annealing can achieve high photoconductive gain under low applied voltages. The surface capping ligand renders the nanoparticles highly soluble in the polymer blend, thereby enabling high CdTe loadings. An external quantum efficiency as high as approximately 8,000% at 350 nm was achieved at -4.5 V. Hole-dominant devices coupled with atomic force microscopy images show a higher concentration of nanoparticles near the cathode-polymer interface. The nanoparticles and trapped electrons assist hole injection into the polymer under reverse bias, contributing to efficiency values in excess of 100%.
Gender differences in the association of visceral and subcutaneous adiposity with adiponectin in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study

Adiponectin, paradoxically reduced in obesity and with lower levels in African Americans (AA), modulates several cardiometabolic risk factors. Because abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT), known to be reduced in AA, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) compartments may confer differential metabolic risk profiles, we investigated the associations of VAT and SAT with serum adiponectin, separately by gender, with the hypothesis that VAT is more strongly inversely associated with adiponectin than SAT. Participants from the Jackson Heart Study, an ongoing cohort of AA (n = 2,799; 64% women; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) underwent computer tomography assessment of SAT and VAT volumes, and had stored serum specimens analyzed for adiponectin levels. These levels were examined by gender in relation to increments of VAT and SAT. Compared to women, men had significantly lower mean levels of adiponectin (3.9 ± 3.0 μg/mL vs. 6.0 ± 4.4 μg/mL; p < 0.01) and mean volume of SAT (1,721 ± 803 cm3 vs. 2,668 ± 968 cm3; p < 0.01) but significantly higher mean volume of VAT (884 ± 416 cm3 vs. 801 ± 363 cm3; p < 0.01). Among women, a one standard deviation increment in VAT was inversely associated with adiponectin (β = − 0.13; p < 0.0001) after controlling for age, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, education, pack-years of smoking and daily intake of alcohol. The statistically significant inverse association of VAT and adiponectin persisted after additionally adjusting for SAT, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), suggesting that VAT provides significant information above and beyond BMI and WC. Among men, after the same multivariable adjustment, there was a direct association of SAT and adiponectin (β = 0.18; p = 0.002) that persisted when controlling for BMI and WC, supporting a beneficial effect of SAT. Insulin resistance mediated the association of SAT with adiponectin in women. In African Americans, abdominal visceral adipose tissue had an inverse association with serum adiponectin concentrations only among women. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue appeared as a protective fat depot in men.
Contributing Factors to Window Flashover Under Pulsed High Power Microwave Excitation at High Altitude

One of the major limiting factors for the transmission of high power microwave (HPM) radiation is the interface between dielectric-vacuum, or even more severely, between dielectric-air if HPM is to be radiated into the atmosphere. Surface flashover phenomena which occur at these transitions severely limit the power levels which can be transmitted. It is of major technical importance to predict surface flashover events for a given window geometry, material and power level. When considering an aircraft based high power microwave platform, the effects on flashover formation due to variances in the operational environment corresponding to altitudes from sea level to 50,000 feet (760 Torr to 90 Torr) are of primary interest. The test setup is carefully designed to study the influence of each atmospheric variable without the influence of high field enhancement or electron injecting metallic electrodes.