cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclopentadienyliron complexes of nitrosobenzene: Preparation, structure and reactivity with olefins

Abstract The preparation, characterization and reactivity of (η5-cyclopentadienyl)iron complexes of nitrosobenzene are investigated as potential intermediates in the [CpFe(CO)2]2 (1)-catalyzed allylic amination of olefins by nitroarenes. The oxidation of 1 by [Cp2Fe]+ in the presence of PhNO produces a novel dinuclear complex {[CpFe-μ-(η2-(N,O)-PhNO)]2-μ-NHPh}BF4 (2) along with [CpFe(CO)3]BF4 and [CpFe(CO)2(NH2Ph)]BF4; 2 has been characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray diffraction. Reaction of CpFe(CO)2I with PhNO and AgSbF6 produces the mononuclear complex [CpFe(CO)2(η2-PhNO)]SbF6 (3) which has also been characterized spectroscopically, crystallographically and by PM3 MO calculations. The reaction of 3 with α-methyl styrene affords [CpFe(CO)2(PhNH2)SbF6] and a trace of N-phenyl-2-phenylallyl amine 4, while the reaction of 3 with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene affords the aniline complex and a hetero-Diels-Alder adduct 5, indicative of PhNO dissociation. Together these results preclude the involvement of nitrosoarene complex 3 as an important intermediate in the allylic amination catalyzed by [CpFe(CO)2]2.
Estimating environmental exposures to sulfur dioxide from multiple industrial sources for a case-control study.

This paper first discusses how population exposures to environmental pollutants are estimated from environmental monitoring data and the problems that are encountered in estimating risk from pollutants on the basis of ecologic studies. We then present a technique of estimating individualized exposures to an atmospheric pollutant, sulfur dioxide (SO2), through atmospheric transport modeling for a case–control study. The transport model uses the quantities of SO2 released from 30 geographically identified industrial facilities and meteorological data (wind speed and direction) to predict the downwind ground-level concentrations of SO2 at geographically identified residences, receptors, of 797 study subjects. A distribution of facility SO2 emissions, uncertainties in effective stack height, and model uncertainty are incorporated to examine the uncertainty in the predicted versus ambient monitoring SO2 levels, and to generate an exposure uncertainty distribution for both the cases and controls. The transport model's accuracy is evaluated by comparing recorded ambient measurements of SO2 with the model's predicted SO2 estimates at geographically identified ambient monitoring stations.
The safety observer effect: the effects of conducting safety observations.

Abstract Introduction Some research suggests that conducting safety observations of another's safety performance may serve as an effective tool in increasing the safety performance of the observer. The primary purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of conducting safety observations on the postural safety performance of observers engaging in an assembly task for short time periods. The secondary objectives of the study were: (a) to measure productivity, and (b) to measure the accuracy of participant safety observations. Method An ABC (A: baseline, B: information, C: observation) multiple-baseline design counterbalanced across postural behaviors (back, shoulder, and feet position) was implemented with six participants. Results and Discussion Substantial improvements in postural safety occurred after participants conducted safety observations, and these improvements did not appear to negatively affect productivity. Results also suggest that there is no relation between the accuracy of an observer's safety observation and their subsequent safety performance. Impact on Industry This research provides evidence that a safety observation process can function to increase safe postural behavior of observers. Thus, the implementation of such a process may contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and related costs in the workplace.
New directions in the toxicokinetics of human lead exposure

An important determinant of body lead (Pb) burden and Pb toxicity in exposed humans is Pb metabolism, or more correctly, Pb toxicokinetics. It affects the former through the quantitative processes of uptake, distribution and retention/excretion and the latter via delivery of toxic doses to cellular/molecular sites of action. Pb toxicokinetics has useful application in understanding Pb's behavior in populations. Several of these applications have been studied and results are presented for the toxicokinetic basis of dose-neurotoxic effect relationships in selected longitudinal studies and the use of toxicokinetic modeling for estimation of body lead burden in early populations. Three well-known, ongoing longitudinal studies of developmental neurotoxicity--in Boston, Cincinnati, and Port Pirie, Australia--involve cohorts who differ markedly as to their pre- and postnatal lead exposure profiles. Toxicokinetic examination of these exposure differences helps to explain the temporal variability seen in blood Pb-toxic effect relationships and supports a causal role for lead. Toxicokinetic models of Pb uptake and in-vivo behavior are increasingly being considered for estimating Pb-B levels in lieu of direct measurement. A linear biokinetic model, using reliable input data for natural/prehistoric levels of Pb in sources, was applied to estimation of prehistoric/preindustrial children's blood lead. A range of 0.06 to 0.12 microgram/dl was estimated for two lead intakes. These estimates are still two orders of magnitude (85 to 165-fold) lower than the newly issued CDC toxicity guideline for children of 10 micrograms/dl. Lastly, the toxicokinetics of lead in bone, particularly its resorption with metabolic stimuli, is of concern, particularly for "baby boom" women who are either of childbearing age or approaching menopause and who had greatly elevated environmental lead exposures in the 1940s to 1970s.
Issues in fabricating manufacturing tooling using powder-based additive freeform fabrication

Abstract Recent interest has emerged for the development of “tool-less” processes capable of producing freeform geometries of metal and ceramic. One important application of such processes would be the rapid acquisition of manufacturing tooling including molds and dies. The basis of this paper is the review of additive freeform fabrication (AFF) processes that utilize particulate materials in processing freeform geometries. Current commercial AFF techniques include stereolithography, solid ground curing, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and laminated object manufacturing. Different approaches to direct metal or ceramic AFF using these processes have yielded a variety of results. The intent of the paper is to describe the various AFF techniques, summarize the powder processing capabilities of each, and identify some of the issues involved with applying these capabilities to manufacturing tooling. Equipment capabilities evaluated include speed, dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, material properties, work envelope, and cost.
Incentive compatibility and incomplete information

It is by now reasonably well known that when informationally decentralized processes are used to make collective choice decisions or to allocate resources, individuals may find it in their interest to distort the information they provide and that these distortions may lead to non-optimal group decisions. In the social choice context, this has been formalized in the Gibbard-Satterthwaite Theorem, which states that all non-dictatorial rules will have this property. In a different context, Hurwicz has shown that there is a private goods neo-classical exchange economy such that any decentralized mechanism which selects Pareto-optimal allocations and which has a no-trade option will have this property. Roberts has provided a similar example in the public goods context. Other work (e.g., Green-Laffont, Groves-Loeb, Hurwicz, and Walker) indicates that, for mechanisms designed to select efficient outcomes, in most environments some agent will have an incentive to misrepresent his information and thus to manipulate the mechanism. All these results lead one to the conjecture that it is almost impossible to design any mechanism for group decisions which is compatible with individual incentives and efficiency.
Structure of elementary excitations and temperature dependence of the momentum distribution in liquid 4He.

We study the momentum-space structure of the elementary excitations in liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ by calculating the change \ensuremath{\delta}${n}_{\mathrm{k}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}$(p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) in the momentum distribution of atoms on creating an excitation of momentum k\ensuremath{\rightarrow}. Jastrow and Jastrow plus triplet wave functions are used for the ground state, and the excitations are created with Feynman and Feynman-Cohen excitation operators. We find that the excitations in the long-wavelength limit are harmonic vibrations with equal amount of change in kinetic and potential terms. At large k, however, they become ``single-particle''-like; and most of the energy comes from removing one particle from the ground-state momentum distribution and putting it at states with p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\sim}k\ensuremath{\rightarrow}. The \ensuremath{\delta}${n}_{\mathrm{k}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}$(p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) is used to calculate the momentum distribution n(T,p) of the liquid at low temperatures (1 K). The temperature dependence of the fraction of atoms in the p=0 condensate and the 1/${p}^{2}$ and 1/p singularities of n(T,p) are discussed.
Note on Age Differences in the Relation between Weight Loss and Wheel Activity

Female Sprague-Dawleys in three groups, 4 aged 3 mo., 5 aged 12 mo., and 5 aged 24 mo., were placed in activity wheels for 1 hr. daily for three weeks. Ss had been selected "at random" from the colony and no apparent selective factors other than age and sex were noted. Each animal was fed ad lib. in its home cage. The rats were then placed on 23-hr. food deprivation for 3 weeks with no wheel activity. During the following three weeks they were rerurned to the wheels for 1 hr. each day from 20 to 21 hr. after feeding. Animals were weighed daily. Each point in Fig. 1 represents the median of 21 daily measurements for one animal. It appears that older animals were less active than younger animals relarive to per cenc weight loss.' This age difference in the relation between weight loss and activity was not a function of ad lib. activiry levels. The data support Stone's ( 1 ) impression that older rats need to lose more weight than younger ones in order to attain comparable activity levels. Older animals may be less well motivated by weight loss or less able ro produce high levels of running activity in response to it.
Committees and Legislative Strengthening: The Growing Influence of Committees in Ukraine's Legislative Process

The Ukrainian legislature is in the process of transforming from a ‘rubber stamp’ institution of the Soviet type into an ‘institution that matters’ in a new democratic state. The practice of democratic institution building in the post-Soviet countries presents multiple examples of powerful executives who gained dominance in legislative processes. What path has Ukraine taken and what can explain its specific characteristics? This article charts the growth of committees here as a marker of legislative institutionalisation in Ukraine. The study finds that Ukrainian legislative committees defy prevalent regional trends and, contrary to expectations, have asserted independent roles. It then discusses factors that may account for this unique regional development – the role of a dual executive structure and the Ukraine party system.
Developmental pattern of testosterone synthesis by fetal rat testes in response to luteinizing hormone.

The capacity of fetal testes from rats aged 14.5-20.5 days to synthesize testosterone and respond to LH was studied in vitro. Synthetic capacity was measured as the rate of appearance of radioimmunoassayable testosterone in the incubation medium with or without added LH. In the absence of LH the testes retained 20-25% of the total testosterone synthesized. Testosterone in the medium increased with tissue weight and time of incubation and was not metabolized to other steroids. Testes from 14.5-day-old fetuses did not secrete testosterone. The unstimulated rates (ng T/testis/h) of testosterone secretion were: 0.25 ± 0.12 at 15.5 days; 0.68 ± 0.35 at 16.5 days; 1.02 ± 0.06 at 18.5 days; and 1.4 ± 0.48 at 20.5 days. Responsiveness and sensitivity to LH increased with development. At 15.5 days, 160 ng LH/ml increased testosterone secretion 4-fold and at 16.5 days the same dose increased secretion 8-fold. At 18.5 days, 64 ng LH/ml increased testosterone secretion maximally, 15-fold. At 20.5 days, testosterone s...
The Role of Atypical Protein Kinase C in CSF-1-Dependent Erk Activation and Proliferation in Myeloid Progenitors and Macrophages

Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1 or M-CSF) is the major physiological regulator of the proliferation, differentiation and survival of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage. CSF-1 binds to a receptor tyrosine kinase, the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R). Multiple pathways are activated downstream of the CSF-1R; however, it is not clear which pathways regulate proliferation and survival. Here, we investigated the role of atypical protein kinase Cs (PKCζ) in a myeloid progenitor cell line that expressed CSF-1R (32D.R) and in primary murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs). In 32D.R cells, CSF-1 induced the phosphorylation of PKCζ and increased its kinase activity. PKC inhibitors and transfections with mutant PKCs showed that optimal CSF-1-dependent Erk activation and proliferation depended on the activity of PKCζ. We previously reported that CSF-1 activated the Erk pathway through an A-Raf-dependent and an A-Raf independent pathway (Lee and States, Mol. Cell. Biol. 18, 6779). PKC inhibitors did not affect CSF-1 induced Ras and A-Raf activity but markedly reduced MEK and Erk activity, implying that PKCζ regulated the CSF-1-Erk pathway at the level of MEK. PKCζ has been implicated in activating the NF-κB pathway. However, CSF-1 promoted proliferation in an NF-κB independent manner. We established stable 32D.R cell lines that overexpressed PKCζ. Overexpression of PKCζ increased the intensity and duration of CSF-1 induced Erk activity and rendered cells more responsive to CSF-1 mediated proliferation. In contrast to 32D.R cells, PKCζ inhibition in BMMs had only a modest effect on proliferation. Moreover, PKCζ -specific and pan-PKC inhibitors induced a paradoxical increase in MEK-Erk phosphorylation suggesting that PKCs targeted a common negative regulatory step upstream of MEK. Our results demonstrated that CSF-1 dependent Erk activation and proliferation are regulated differentially in progenitors and differentiated cells.
Large Scale Expression Changes of Genes Related to Neuronal Signaling and Developmental Processes Found in Lateral Septum of Postpartum Outbred Mice

Coordinated gene expression changes across the CNS are required to produce the mammalian maternal phenotype. Lateral septum (LS) is a brain region critically involved with aspects of maternal care, and we recently examined gene expression of whole septum (LS and medial septum) in selectively bred maternal mice. Here, we expand on the prior study by 1) conducting microarray analysis solely on LS in virgin and postpartum mice, 2) using outbred mice, and 3) evaluating the role of sensory input on gene expression changes. Large scale changes in genes related to neuronal signaling were identified, including four GABAA receptor subunits. Subunits α4 and δ were downregulated in maternal LS, likely reflecting a reduction in the extrasynaptic, neurosteroid-sensitive α4/δ containing receptor subtype. Conversely, subunits e and θ were increased in maternal LS. Fifteen K+ channel related genes showed altered expression, as did dopamine receptors Drd1a and Drd2 (both downregulated), hypocretin receptor 1 (Hcrtr1), kappa opioid receptor 1 (Oprk1), and transient receptor potential channel 4 (Trpc4). Expression of a large number of genes linked to developmental processes or cell differentiation were also altered in postpartum LS, including chemokine (C-X-C) motif ligand 12 (Cxcl12), fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7), plasma membrane proteolipid (Pllp), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (Socs2). Additional genes that are linked to anxiety, such as glutathione reductase (Gsr), exhibited altered expression. Pathway analysis also identified changes in genes related to cyclic nucleotide metabolism, chromatin structure, and the Ras gene family. The sensory presence of pups was found to contribute to the altered expression of a subset of genes across all categories. This study suggests that both large changes in neuronal signaling and the possible terminal differentiation of neuronal and/or glial cells play important roles in producing the maternal state.
Daily energetics of the Black-capped Chickadee,Parus atricapillus, in winter

The Black-capped Chickadee,Parus atricapillus, is a year-round resident of deciduous forests near Ithaca, New York. Chickadees are confronted with high nightly energetic demands, due to their small size (10–12 g) and the subfreezing winter temperatures, which must be met by an adequate energy reserve. The fat stores of Chickadees on midwinter evenings provide slightly more energy then expended overnight, as based on metabolic measurements made in the laboratory.
Effect of sympathomimetic amines and monoamine oxidase inhibitors on protein synthesis in rat heart

Abstract The sympathomimetic amines, epinephrine, norepinephrine and isoproterenol, were administered in large doses to rats and the effects on the rates of protein synthesis in isolated perfused hearts of these animals were determined. Protein synthesis was found to be significantly elevated after each drug. Since it had been reported that the hydrazine monoamine oxidase inhibitors reduced or prevented the cardiac lesions caused by the administration of large doses of isoproterenol to experimental animals, the effects of two such agents on the epinephrine-induced increase in cardiac protein synthesis were investigated. Iproniazid had no effect and phenelzine reduced the elevation in protein synthesis to a small degree only. The possible mechanisms by which high concentrations of sympathomimetic amines promote cardiac protein synthesis are discussed.
A Study of the Nuclear Radiations from Antimony and Arsenic

Beta-gamma and gamma-gamma coincidences were investigated in ${\mathrm{As}}^{76}$, ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{122}$ and ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{124}$. Measurements were made on the gamma-ray energies by coincidence absorption of their Compton recoils. Beta-ray endpoints were determined by absorption in aluminum. In As, the measurements indicate three groups of beta-rays all going to excited states of ${\mathrm{Se}}^{76}$. The endpoint of the highest energy group was found to be 3.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.20 Mev. More than one gamma-ray was found to be present. The hardest gamma-ray has an energy of 2.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Mev. The effects due to ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{122}$ (2.5 days) and ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{124}$ (60 days) were separated. The beta-ray spectrum of ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{124}$ was found to be simple, consisting of one group going to an excited state of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{124}$. The endpoint of this group is 1.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Mev. More than one gamma-ray was found. The highest energy gamma-ray has an energy of 1.82\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Mev. A soft gamma-ray was also found having an energy less than 69,000 volts. Evidence is offered which suggests the alternative process of $K$-electron capture with a transition to ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{124}$. The beta-ray spectrum of the short period ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{122}$ was found to consist of two groups one of which goes to the ground state of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{122}$. The endpoint of the high energy group was found to be 1.76\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10 Mev. The endpoint of the lower energy group is estimated at 0.81 Mev. Only one gamma-ray was observed. Its energy is 0.96 Mev. A self-consistent energy level scheme for ${\mathrm{Sb}}^{122}$ is given.
Mechanisms of seed harvest by heteromyid rodents: soil texture effects on harvest rate and seed size selection

Several lines of evidence show that soil texture plays an important role in the distribution of desert-dwelling heteromyid rodents. This is not surprising, since texture influences the energetic cost of digging burrows and of scratching at the soil surface to harvest buried seeds. Texture also may influence the efficiency with which seeds can be separated from the soil particles with which they are mixed. To explore mechanisms of “particle separation” by foraging heteromyids we measured seed harvest rates and size selection in the laboratory for a variety of seed sizes and soil textures. Harvest rate declined with increasing soil coarseness, and the preference for seeds of intermediate size that was apparent in fine soil disappeared when seeds were mixed with soil slightly coarser than the preferred seed size. In addition, there was evidence that particle separation efficiency is sensitive to the relative sizes of seeds and soil. A discontinity in the function relating harvest rate to soil texture occurred at finer soil textures for small seeds than for large seeds, suggesting that harvest techniques change once soil particle diameter equals or exceeds that of seeds. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that heteromyids use a combination of gravity-and rake-sorting mechanisms for particle separation.
Ribosome and messenger specificity in protein synthesis by bacteria

Ribosomes from Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens, two Gram-negative bacteria, translated messenger RNA preparations from all bacteria tested (3 Gram-negative species, and 6 Gram-positive species) as well as f2 RNA and T4 early messenger RNA. Ribosomes from Clostridium pasteurianum, Streptococcus faecalis, and Bacillus subtilis, three Gram-positive organisms, did not translate messenger RNA preparations derived from any of the Gram-negative organisms, the f2 RNA, or the T4 early messenger RNA but did translate messenger preparations from all 6 Gram-positive bacterial species tested.
Psychiatric comorbidity in chronic epilepsy: identification, consequences, and treatment of major depression.

The purpose of this article is to review the topic of interictal psychiatric comorbidity among adult patients with chronic epilepsy, focusing specifically on those studies that have used contemporary psychiatric nosology. Five specific issues are addressed: (a) the risk and predominant type(s) of psychiatric comorbidity in chronic epilepsy, (b) adequacy of recognition and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity, (c) the additional burdens that comorbid psychiatric disorders impose upon patients with chronic epilepsy, (d) the etiology of these disorders, and (e) strategies for treatment. Current appreciation for these issues in epilepsy is contrasted to related fields (e.g., primary care, psychiatry, and epidemiology), where considerable attention has been devoted to the identification, consequences, and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity. The issue of psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy is reviewed with the aim of identifying a clinical and research agenda that will advance understanding of at least one important psychiatric condition associated with epilepsy-namely, major depression.
Emerging technologies for modern communications and radar systems

This paper discussed a variety of enabling technologies that complement the realization of highly integrated, multifunctional transceiver based systems. Key examples of reconfigurable components will be presented. Adaptive analog front end technology will be discussed to complement digital signal processing to realize mixed signal solutions that provide for fast, flexible and low power consumption with minimal resources. Examples of adaptable analog technologies include adaptable filtering and multi-resolution spectral processing and adaptable, reconfigurable antennas and matching networks. One example is a a highly integrated all CMOS UHF receiver with spectral sensing in 180 nm CMOS with ~1M gates and 100mW total power consumption. In the future, an order of magnitude increase in integration and an order of magnitude reduction in power consumption is expected. Complementary technology for a digital phased array will also be discussed. Required hardware and signal processing capabilities are being developed as part of an integrated digital array radar antenna/prototype. Very high power solid state wideband gap technology is being used together with low cost surface mount technology to realize a low cost, air cooled, light weight antenna array.
Greenhouse biogeography: the relationship of geographic range to invasion and extinction in the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway.

Significant warming of Earth's climate in the near term seems increasingly likely. If significant enough, this climatic regime could, in the long term, come to resemble previous greenhouse intervals in earth history. Consequently, analysis of the fossil record during periods of extreme warmth may provide important lessons for species biology, including biogeography, in a much warmer world. To explore this issue, we analyzed the biogeographic response of 63 molluscan species to the long-term global warmth in the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway (WIS) of North America, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to quantitatively measure changes in range size and distribution throughout this interval. We specifically considered the role that geographic range size played in mediating extinction resistance and invasion potential of these WIS species. We found no relationship between geographic range size and survivorship. However, endemic species with small range sizes were more likely to become invasive. Finally, mollusks did not experience a poleward shift in range out of the tropics during this warm regime. To the extent that these patterns are representative, and the WIS and taxa considered constitute a reasonable ancient analogue to a warmer future world, these results suggest that some biogeographic “rules” may not prevail under greenhouse conditions of long-term, equable warmth. They also suggest that other factors beyond geographic range size, including distinctive niche characteristics, may play quite important roles in species survival and invasion potential. This potentially complicates predictions regarding the future responses of extant species to long-term warming.
Optimal energy allocation to ovaries after spawning

For iteroparous organisms in which fecundity is positively related to body size, a trade-off exists between allocation of energy to gonads, thus ensuring some reproductive output, and allocation to somatic growth, thus increasing potential fecundity in the future. This tradeoff can influence several life-history patterns, including when, for organisms that grow after maturity, allocation to gonads begins following the previous reproductive event. White crappie Pomoxis annularis, a spring-spawning freshwater fish, began allocating energy to ovaries in autumn at the expense of continued somatic growth and higher potential fecundity. Within five populations, the amount of early allocation varied between years. We combined dynamic programming with an individual-based model to determine how summer and spring feeding conditions interact to influence when allocation to reproduction should begin. Model results indicated that autumn allocation to ovaries was in response to future spring feeding conditions rather than recent summer feeding conditions. At least a 10% probability of poor spring feeding conditions resulted in ovary investment patterns that matched field observations. The model was unable to explain the inter-annual variation in autumn energy observed in the field. Early allocation of energy to ovaries is probably an evolutionary adaptation to the possibility of poor spring feeding conditions.
Residency Applicants in Psychiatry

With the continued decline in the number of U.S. medical graduates entering psychiatry residencies and the possibility of a decrease in the number of funded psychiatry training positions in the near future, this study aimed to update our understanding of why applicants choose a residency program. For 5 years (1989–1993), all applicants interviewed for postgraduate year-1 psychiatry positions at Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Hillside Hospital were asked to rank factors that influenced their program choice. The factors that were rated as most important, in declining order, were location (67.9%), reputation (46.2%), integration with a medical school (35.9%), resident satisfaction (33.2%), and quality of faculty (33.2%).
Repeated Pap smear screening among Mexican‐American women

The factors that influence repeated cervical cancer screening among Latina women are not well understood. Studies of compliance in this population over-emphasize initial or recent screening and under-emphasize how this practice is repeated over time. The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic and psychosocial factors associated with repeated Pap smear screening among low-income MexicanAmerican women living in two urban communities in Texas. A total of 1804 MexicanAmerican women were interviewed as part of a community survey. Multiple regression results indicate that demographic characteristics such as age, marital status, level of acculturation and health insurance were associated with the total number of Pap smears reported for the 5 years prior to the interview. Pap smear beliefs were the strongest predictor of repeated screening, while global beliefs about cancer did not significantly explain the results. Health promotion interventions should take into consideration the cultural and psychosocial needs of Mexican-American women, placing emphasis on their specific screening-related beliefs, if they are to succeed in promoting repeated compliance with Pap smear screening guidelines.
Optimization of a fluorescent-based phosphor imaging dot blot DNA hybridization assay to assess E. coli virulence gene profiles

Abstract To increase the efficiency and consistency in screening Escherichia coli for virulence genes, a Phosphor Imager was adopted for signal detection in Dot Blot DNA hybridization replacing X-ray film read by eye. We assessed not only the reliability of the instrument-based procedure, but the impact of going from an outcome measured by visualization on a semi-quantitative scale to a digitized readout on an interval scale. We analyzed technical and biological variability of the assay and the factors contributing to the variability. In spite of high variability both within and between membranes in the Phosphor Imager readings, we were able to define classification rules for gene presence that were remarkably consistent. Using the X-ray film singal detection procedure with Southern confirmation as a gold standard, we obtained a sensitivity and specificity of 87–99% for a rule requiring no retesting for all but one gene probe.
On the Production and Disposition of Quinolinic Acid in Rat Brain and Liver Slices

: The de novo production and subsequent disposition of the endogenous excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) was investigated in vitro in tissue slices from rat brain and liver. Incubation of tissue with QUIN's immediate bioprecursor 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) in oxygenated Krebs-Ringer buffer yielded measurable amounts of QUIN both in the tissue and in the incubation medium. Saturation was reached between 16 and 64 μM 3-HANA (166 pmol of QUIN formed per milligram of protein after a 60-min incubation with 64 μM 3-HANA). In the brain, more QUIN was recovered from the tissue than from the incubation medium at all time points examined (5 min to 4 h). In contrast, the tissue-to-medium ratio for QUIN in parallel experiments with hepatic slices was ≪ 1. The disposition of newly synthesized QUIN was further elaborated in tissue slices that had been preincubated for 60 min with 64 μM 3-HANA. Subsequent incubation of brain tissue in fresh buffer revealed a steady but relatively slow efflux of QUIN from the cellular compartment, with >30% remaining in the tissue after a 90-min incubation. Analogous experiments with liver slices showed that >93% of newly synthesized QUIN had entered the extracellular compartment within 30 min. Striatal and nigral slices obtained 7 days after an intrastriatal ibotenic acid injection showed severalfold increases in QUIN production compared with control tissues, in all likelihood due to astrogliosis and associated large increases in 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase activity. In addition, the apparent tissue-to-medium ratio was markedly reduced in striatal slices from lesioned animals. Taken together, these data indicate that both brain and liver cells have a rather limited capacity to retain QUIN, and that 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase activity is a critical determinant controlling extracellular QUIN concentrations in both organs. Changes in the activity of QUIN's biosynthetic enzyme in the brain can therefore be expected to influence the possible function of QUIN as an endogenous agonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in health and disease.
A lattice search technique for a long-contextual-span hidden trajectory model of speech

Abstract We have recently developed a long-contextual-span hidden trajectory model (HTM) which captures underlying dynamic structure of speech coarticulation and reduction. Due to the long-span nature of the HTM and the complexity of its likelihood score computation, N-best list rescoring was the principal paradigm for evaluating the HTM for phonetic recognition in our earlier work. In this paper, we describe improved likelihood score computation in the HTM and a novel A∗-based time-asynchronous lattice-constrained decoding algorithm for the HTM evaluation. We focus on several special considerations in the decoder design, which are necessitated by the dependency of the HTM score at each given frame on the model parameters associated with a variable number of adjacent past and future phones. We present details on how the nodes and links in the lattices are expanded via a look-ahead mechanism, on how the A∗ heuristics are estimated, and on how pruning strategies are applied to speed up the search process. The experiments on the standard TIMIT phonetic recognition task show improvement of recognition accuracy by the new search algorithm on recognition lattices over the traditional N-best rescoring paradigm.
Fastest mixing Markov chain on a graph

We consider a symmetric random walk on a connected graph, where each edge is labeled with the probability of transition between the two adjacent vertices. The associated Markov chain has a uniform equilibrium distribution; the rate of convergence to this distribution, i.e., the mixing rate of the Markov chain, is determined by the second largest eigenvalue modulus (SLEM) of the transition probability matrix. In this paper we address the problem of assigning probabilities to the edges of the graph in such a way as to minimize the SLEM, i.e., the problem of finding the fastest mixing Markov chain on the graph. We show that this problem can be formulated as a convex optimization problem, which can in turn be expressed as a semidefinite program (SDP). This allows us to easily compute the (globally) fastest mixing Markov chain for any graph with a modest number of edges (say, $1000$) using standard numerical methods for SDPs. Larger problems can be solved by exploiting various types of symmetry and structure in the problem, and far larger problems (say, 100,000 edges) can be solved using a subgradient method we describe. We compare the fastest mixing Markov chain to those obtained using two commonly used heuristics: the maximum-degree method, and the Metropolis--Hastings algorithm. For many of the examples considered, the fastest mixing Markov chain is substantially faster than those obtained using these heuristic methods. We derive the Lagrange dual of the fastest mixing Markov chain problem, which gives a sophisticated method for obtaining (arbitrarily good) bounds on the optimal mixing rate, as well as the optimality conditions. Finally, we describe various extensions of the method, including a solution of the problem of finding the fastest mixing reversible Markov chain, on a fixed graph, with a given equilibrium distribution.
Columnar aerosol properties over oceans by combining surface and aircraft measurements: sensitivity analysis.

We report a sensitivity analysis for the algorithm presented by Gordon and Zhang [Appl. Opt.34, 5552 (1995)] for inverting the radiance exiting the top and bottom of the atmosphere to yield the aerosol-scattering phase function [P(Θ)] and single-scattering albedo (ω0). The study of the algorithm’s sensitivity to radiometric calibration errors, mean-zero instrument noise, sea-surface roughness, the curvature of the Earth’s atmosphere, the polarization of the light field, and incorrect assumptions regarding the vertical structure of the atmosphere, indicates that the retrieved ω0 has excellent stability even for very large values (∼2) of the aerosol optical thickness; however, the error in the retrieved P(Θ) strongly depends on the measurement error and on the assumptions made in the retrieval algorithm. The retrieved phase functions in the blue are usually poor compared with those in the near infrared.
Biologic Therapy of Crohn’s Disease: Infliximab

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody directed at tumor necrosis factor α that has numerous potential mechanisms of action in immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. In addition to neutralization of circulating TNF-α, infliximab binds to membrane bound TNF-α, induces apoptosis of lymphocytes and monocytes, impairs downstream cytokine signaling, and enhances production of metalloproteinases that contribute to wound healing. Infliximab is indicated for induction and maintenance of remission for patients with “moderate-severe” refractory (steroid-dependent, steroid-refractory, and immunosuppressive-refractory) and fistulizing Crohn’s disease, as well as for patients with intolerance to other immunosuppressive therapy. Infliximab is relatively safe, although the risk of infections (in particular infections due to intracellular pathogens) is significantly increased with concomitant steroid use and older age. The potential increased risk of lymphomas during infliximab therapy is debated and the risk of hepatosplenic T cell lymphomas is limited to young males, mostly receiving combination therapy. The formation of antibodies to infliximab is associated with infusion reactions (both acute and delayed) and decreased efficacy. Strategies for reducing the formation of antibodies to infliximab include scheduled (vs. episodic) treatment and concomitant immunosuppression. According to our current knowledge, combination therapy of infliximab with immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine, leads to less antibody formation, higher trough levels, mucosal healing, higher steroid-free remission rates, and less surgery. Accumulating expertise regarding indications for infliximab, side effects, loss of response, and concomitant immunosuppression make infliximab a potent and relatively safe treatment option for Crohn’s disease. Future research is needed to determine the optimal positioning of biologics and strategies to maintain response to infliximab while minimizing the long-term risks of complications.
Tip Trajectory Tracking for Multilink Flexible Manipulators Using Stable Inversion

The recently developed stable inversion theory for nonminimum phase nonlinear systems is applied to output tracking for multilink e exible robot manipulators. The stable inversion theory and a numerical solution to stable inverses are briee y reviewed. Forward dynamics of a two-link e exible manipulator with tip position as the output is then given using the assumed modes method. From that, an inverse model is derived and a two-point boundary value condition is set up. This condition guarantees that the inverse solution for a given desired tip trajectory will be stable regardless of the fact that a e exible manipulator is a nonminimum-phase system. The stable inverse is incorporated into an output tracking controller that uses only joint-angle feedback. Excellent tracking is achieved with no transient or steady-state errors and no internal vibration buildup.
Alcohol and Women

A sample of 118 HIV infected and uninfected women in New York City who were problem drinkers raising adolescents were interviewed regarding their sexual activities and drug and alcohol patterns. Th...
Radiation characteristics of a spherical array of circularly polarized elements

The radiation properties of a spherical phased-array antenna with circularly polarized elements are studied. Each antenna element is assumed to have a cosine type of field pattern. It is found that such an array is capable of providing complete hemispherical coverage without appreciable loss of gain. The radiation produced by the array stays circularly polarized in all directions, and the state of polarization is independent of beam steering. A special distribution of elements on a spherical surface is developed. This considerably suppresses the grating lobes in the pattern and thereby makes the antenna array broadband. Numerical calculations are made to determine the directivity and half-power beamwidth for the radiation patterns produced under various situations.
Osteoid osteoma in childhood.

Osteoid osteoma is a small, benign tumor usually of endochondral bone, affecting mainly the long bones of the extremities and occurring not uncommonly among children. It produces pain which may disturb sleep and interfere with normal activities. The roentgenogram reveals a radiolucent area surrounded by osteosclerosis. This is suggestive of osteoid osteoma but differential diagnosis from certain other neoplastic, inflammatory and metabolic lesions of bone must be made. Thirteen children with osteoid osteoma have been treated by excision of the lesion at the Mayo Clinic. The results have been uniform alleviation of symptoms. This experience and that obtained elsewhere has shown that incomplete removal of the nidus may lead to recurrence of the symptoms.
The influence of crystallinity distribution on small-angle x-ray scattering from semicrystalline polymers

Theoretical x-ray scattering curves have been developed for the lamellar structure in semicrystalline polymers in which there are present distributions of lamellar thickness and crystallinity. The models have been tested against samples of linear low-density, low-density and crosslinked polyethylenes. When variation in crystallinity is present in a material, a major effect is an increase in the magnitude of near-zero angle scattering. The Bragg maximum can appear as an ill-defined hump on an apparently high level of background scattering. The shape of the Bragg peak is influenced more by crystallinity distribution than by lamellar thickness distribution. Of the polymers we have studied so far only linear low density polyethylene shows significant crystallinity distribution effects. A “rule-of-thumb” method for rapid estimation of crystallinity distribution effects has been developed, obviating the need for lengthy simulation.
Cooperation and competition in intercultural interactions

Abstract Previous research has demonstrated that intercultural interactions produce less positive outcomes in cooperative behaviors in game play than intracultural interactions, yet no study to date has empirically linked these behavioral outcomes to cultural differences between the players. In this study stranger dyads played a modified version of Prisoner's Dilemma either with a partner from the same country or not. Intercultural dyads were less cooperative and more competitive, replicating previous findings. The behavioral outcomes for the intercultural dyads were reliably associated with differences in the dyad's home country scores on Hofstede's (2001) cultural dimension Power Distance, linking cultural differences between players and behavioral outcomes in intercultural game play.
Lonely Islands: Culture, Community, and Poverty in Archaeological Perspective

The study of poverty in historical archaeology has not yet developed a productive engagement with the complex political economy of impoverishment. A primary concern with culture and representation has instead supported the production of often essentialized subjects who ultimately mirror the problematic foundations of the “culture of poverty” thesis. This paper critiques the processes of constructing impoverished subjects and considers the notion of a “poverty of culture” as a relational position for analysis. Working in close collaboration with members of an impoverished African American community in Setauket, New York, alternative readings of poverty, culture, heritage, and archaeology are discussed. These alternatives serve as the foundations of a community-driven project informed by indigenous meanings and interests in the archaeological past in order to challenge the marginalization of this part of the broader local community.
Simulation of Biological Ionic Channels by Technology Computer-Aided Design

This paper discusses the use of established Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) tools and methodologies for the study of charge transport in molecular biology systems, like ionic channels, that display a behavior analogous to electronic devices. Continuum drift-diffusion and Monte Carlo methods can be applied to analyze steady-state and transient behavior of ionic channels over time scales that cannot be resolved practically by detailed molecular dynamics or quantum approaches. The difficult ion-water interaction can be lumped phenomenologically into mobility or scattering rate parameters, while the solution of Poisson equation over the complete domain provides a simple way to include external boundary conditions and image force effects at dielectric discontinuities. We present here some recent results of 3-D simulations for a gramicidin ion channel, obtained using the rapid prototyping computational platform PROPHET.
SO2 (35S labeled) absorption by the nose and mouth under conditions of varying concentration and flow.

Sulfur dioxide35S (35SO2) was administered to the surgically isolated upper airways of anesthetized dogs via a mask with separate connections to the nose and mouth. The 35SO2 that passed through the upper airways was monitored continuously; nearly complete removal could be measured to within several hundredths of a percent. Nasal uptake of the incoming gas (1 to 50 ppm) exceeded 99% at a flow of 3.5 liters/min and fell only several percent when flow was increased tenfold (1, 10 ppm). Uptake by the mouth averaged more than 95% at a flow of 3.5 liters/min (1, 10 ppm) but fell to under 50% when flow was increased tenfold. Following penetration of the mouth or nose by 35SO2, desorption of the gas from the mucosa could be demonstrated more than 25 minutes after the end of exposure.
The Hepatic Ultrastructure of the Mud Carp (Cirrhinus chinensis Günther)

The hepatic ultrastructure in mullet have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy.The result shows that The hepatocyte in mullet contain a nucleus.Pronounced nucleoli,Nuclear membrane and Nuclear pore were observed in each nucleus.Mitochondria,rough endoplasmic reticulum,lysosome and glycogen were abundant in cytoplasm of hepatocytes.The intracellular bile cannaliculi were observed in mullet.After starvation for 4 weeks,the total number of cell organelles,the number of Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum and mitochondria decreased and the latter appeared atrophy and had all kinds of forms.the most significant difference compared with the controls was that the number of lysosome increased dramatically and almost all glycogen disappeared.After refeeding for 4 weeks,the quantity of cell organelle,and glycogen rose again,however,the number of lysosome fell significantly.These phenomena demonstrated that the quantities and the forms of cell organelles are closely related to the metabolism of hepatocyte.