cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of a Teacher-Guided and -Led Indoor Preschool Physical Activity Intervention: A Feasibility Study

Preschoolers are not meeting physical activity recommendations and are spending an extensive amount of their day sedentary. Interventions targeting teacher-led strategies can benefit children’s physical activity levels the most. The purpose of this feasibility study was to examine the effects of an indoor teacher-guided and -led preschool physical activity intervention in low-income schools. Sixty-six preschoolers and twelve preschool teachers participated in this study. Intact classrooms were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. A 2 × 3 mixed ANOVA was used to test changes by group and time. Follow-up measurements included Post-hoc analysis. There was a significant group by time interaction in children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during indoor time (p = 0.036) and a significant effect on time in children’s MVPA levels during outdoor time (p = 0.002). Teacher’s identified that when planned, physical activity opportunities are easy to implement during indoor time. Moreover, teachers indicated that they enjoyed providing physical activity opportunities into the classroom setting and the children enjoyed participating in the activities implemented. Teachers identified implementation barriers could be correlated with decreased levels of children’s physical activity. Our findings show that a teacher-guided and -led indoor preschool physical activity intervention is a feasible approach that can acutely increase children’s MVPA levels.
Lung Tumor Risk Estimates of Inhaled Cadmium

In the early 1960’s it was reported that injected cadmium compounds can induce tumors at injection sites in rats and mice. It was later discovered that besides the site of injection tumors could also be induced in testes and pancreas. With regard to the respiratory tract, chronic inhalation of CdCl2 aerosols were found to induce lung tumors in rats (1). Long-term inhalation studies with CdO, CdS and CdS04 designed after the study of Takenaka et al. resulted also in the induction of lung tumors (2). Thus, it appears that inhalation of many different cadmium compounds in the rat can induce lung tumors.
Design optimization of surface permanent magnet machines with fractional slot concentrated windings

This paper presents a closed-form design optimization of surface permanent magnet (SPM) machines using concentrated windings layout. Over the last few years, the interest in the use of SPM machines with a high pole number for low speed direct-drive applications has significantly increased. In this paper, the analytical design model is developed and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is applied for achieving optimal specific power and efficiency. In particular, a penalty function is added to the objective function in order to avoid unwanted results. PSO results show that pancake type motor is suitable for high specific power. The performance characteristics of machine designed by closed-form analysis are verified using finite element analysis (FEA). Finally, results of the closed-form analysis and FEA have been validated using experimental data, demonstrating a strong correlation between key machine parameters.
Expression of Zymomonas mobilis adhB (encoding alcohol dehydrogenase II) and adhB-lacZ operon fusions in recombinant Z. mobilis.

The Zymomonas mobilis alcohol dehydrogenase II gene (adhB) was overexpressed 7- to 14-fold on a recombinant plasmid, accompanied by a small decrease in growth rate. A fragment containing the truncated gene with promoter reduced expression from the chromosomal gene as measured immunologically and enzymatically, consistent with the presence of a trans-active regulatory factor and positive regulatory control. Both the complete gene and the promoter fragment increased pyruvate decarboxylase and glucokinase activities, with no effect on alcohol dehydrogenase I or eight glycolytic enzymes. Tandem promoters from adhB expressed beta-galactosidase at higher levels than did either promoter alone in operon fusions. Addition of 50 microM zinc sulfate in minimal medium reduced the expression of adhB and of the operon fusions. Abundant but inactive alcohol dehydrogenase II was produced in iron-limited cells. This inactive enzyme did not form intracellular aggregates, and no morphological changes were apparent by transmission electron microscopy. Images
Myth and Violence in the Contemporary Female Text: New Cassandras

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Sanja Bahun-Radunovic and V.G. Julie Rajan Year: 2011 Publisher: Ashgate Publishing ISBN: 978-1-4094-0001-1 (hard cover).
Wnt signaling in the vasculature

The Wnt signaling pathway regulates normal development as well as a variety of pathologies. Studies of the Wnt pathway have focused largely on very early development and on tumorigenesis. Recent observations point to a role for Wnt signaling in vessel development and pathology. Although not yet investigated systematically, several Wnt ligands have been demonstrated to be expressed in the cells of blood vessels in vivo and in vitro, including Wnt-2, -5a, -7a and -10b. Mice deficient for Wnt-2 display vascular abnormalities including defective placental vasculature. Wnt receptors, called frizzled (Fz), are also expressed by vascular cells in culture and in situ. Of the 10 murine Fz identified to date, Fz-1, -2, -3, and -5 have been demonstrated in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells; mice deficient for Fz-5 display vascular abnormalities and are embryonic lethal. Two soluble, naturally occurring Wnt antagonists, frizzled-related proteins (FRP)-1 and -3, are also expressed by vascular cells. Stabilization of the downstream signaling component beta-catenin in blood vessels has been demonstrated in several developmental and pathologic states, further supporting the idea that Wnt signaling plays an important regulatory role in the vasculature.
Pasteurella multocida toxin interaction with host cells: entry and cellular effects

The mitogenic dermonecrotic toxin from Pasteurella multocida (PMT) is a 1285-residue multipartite protein that belongs to the A-B family of bacterial protein toxins. Through its G-protein-deamidating activity on the α subunits of heterotrimeric Gq-, Gi- and G12/13-proteins, PMT potently stimulates downstream mitogenic, calcium, and cytoskeletal signaling pathways. These activities lead to pleiotropic effects in different cell types, which ultimately result in cellular proliferation, while inhibiting cellular differentiation, and account for the myriad of physiological outcomes observed during infection with toxinogenic strains of P. multocida.
Moral disagreement concerning abortion

I use the example of abortion to show that there are some unresolvable moral disagreements. I list four sources of unresolvable moral disagreement: 1) differences in the rankings of the basic evils of death, pain, disability, loss of freedom, and loss of pleasure, 2) differences in the interpretation of moral rules, 3) ideological differences in the view of human nature and human societies, and 4) differences concerning who is impartially protected by the moral rules. It is this last difference that is the source of unresolvable disagreement concerning the moral acceptability of abortion. I examine the views of Don Marquis and Mary Ann Warren who present opposing arguments concerning the moral acceptability of abortion. I show that their failure to take account of this last difference leads to flaws in their arguments that show that neither has been successful in showing that their position is the uniquely correct one. This paper is a revision of Chapter 3, "Moral Disagreement", of Bioethics: A Systematic Approach , Oxford University Press, 2006, by Bernard Gert, Charles M. Culver, and K. Danner Clouser, (Polish translation, stowo/obraz terytoria, 2009, Bioetyka. Ujecie systematyczne , translated by Marek Chojnacki) and of "Moral Disagreement and Abortion" Australian Journal of Professional and Applied Ethics Volume 6, Number 1, June 2004 by Bernard Gert.
Neural training and generalisation of sequences using continuous temporal structure

An approach for sequential neural behavior called continuous backpropagation is evolved from standard backpropagation where a state is replaced by a state transition sequence as the goal weight condition. The approach may be used to train mappings of analog input/output (I/O) signals or discrete I/O sequences with underlying continuity. An arbitrarily increasing number of values in the I/O sequences may be trained without having to increase the number of hidden units. The training and generalization techniques are illustrated by a sequential four-spiral version of Wieland's two-spirals problem. The results show a substantial improvement over standard state-based backpropagation. >
Differential roles of stromal cells, interleukin-7, and kit-ligand in the regulation of B lymphopoiesis

Newly formed B lymphocytes are a population of rapidly renewed cells in the bone marrow of mammals and their steady state production presumably depends on a cascade of regulatory cells and cytokines. Although considerable information has been forthcoming about the role of interleukin-7 (IL-7) in potentiating pre-B-cell proliferation, few studies have addressed the possibility that multiple cytokines are involved in the progression of early events in cellular differentiation and proliferation in this hematopoietic lineage. Our laboratory previously described pre-B-cell differentiation mediated by the bone marrow stromal cell line S17. In this study, we further delineate the role of stromal cells in differentiation and proliferation of pre-B cells. These experiments show that the stromal cell line S17 potentiates the proliferative effect of IL-7 on B-lineage cells and that this S17-derived potentiator can be replaced with recombinant kit- ligand (KL). Our results further show that pre-B-cell formation from B220-, Ig- progenitor cells and expression of mu heavy chain of immunoglobulin is uniquely dependent on the presence of S17 stromal cells and cannot be reproduced with IL-7, KL, or costimulation with both IL-7 and KL. These data contribute to a rapidly evolving model of stromal cell regulation of B-cell production in the marrow and suggest unique roles for IL-7, KL, and as yet uncharacterized stromal cell- derived lymphokines in this process.
Nodulation Efficiency of Legume Inoculation as Determined by Intrinsic Antibiotic Resistance

Patterns of intrinsic resistance and susceptibility to different levels of antibiotics were determined for strains of both fast- and slow-growing rhizobia. These patterns were stable to plant passage when they were used to identify Rhizobium strains in nodule suspensions or nodule isolates. The method of identification by intrinsic resistance and susceptibility patterns was reliable for identifying strains in field nodules when strains were first isolated from the nodules to provide a standard inoculum size and then typed on antibiotic-containing media. Other patterns of resistance were encountered during identification of field isolates; these patterns may have resulted from acquired resistance to certain antibiotics or from mixed infections of the nodules. The occurrence of resistance patterns identical to those of inoculant strains among native strains was directly related to the size of the soil population. High strain recovery was associated directly with high rates of inoculation.
Inside Family Viewing

Inside Family Viewing: Ethnographic Research on Television's Audiences. (1990) James Lull Routledge. London. 190 pp.
THE RELATION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF WORK WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS: A META-ANALYSIS OF FIVE UNITED STATES DATA BASES

The relation of job psychologic demands and decision latitude to four coronary heart disease risk factors (cholesterol, smoking, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures) was tested among 12,555 men in five investigations conducted in the United States during the period 1959-1980 (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I and II, National Health Examination Survey, Western Collaborative Group Study, and Exercise Heart Survey). Using an imputation strategy, the authors attached measures of the two job characteristics above to persons in each data base by occupation. In 19 possible tests, decision latitude was related (p less than 0.05) to cholesterol and smoking in two instances in the predicted direction in the Exercise Heart Survey, when controlling for Type I error rate. Psychologic demands were not related to any of the risk factors. When a meta-analysis was performed across data bases, all relations were in the predicted direction except for the relation of psychologic demands to systolic pressure, and two of these were statistically significant (p less than 0.05): the relation of job decision latitude to smoking and to systolic pressure. The interaction of psychologic demands and decision latitude was not related to any of the risk factors when two common forms of an interaction were tested. These results indicate that psychosocial aspects of work, in particular the decision latitude of the job, may be related to some cardiovascular risk factors.
Control of cytolysis of BALB/c-3T3 cells by platelet-derived growth factor: A model system for analyzing cell death

In culture medium supplemented with 10% clotted blood serum, the saturation density of BALB/c-3T3 cells is determined jointly by cell replication and cell loss. By prelabelling cellular DNA with 3H-thymidine and also by time lapse photography, we studied cell loss independently of replication. Cell loss was accelerated when BALB/c-3T3 cells were transferred from serum-supplemented medium, which contains the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), to medium supplemented with platelet-poor plasma which lacks it. Loss occurred via the disintegration of cell attached to the surface of the tissue culture dish. Cytolysis of individual cells occurred rapidly; less than 15 minutes transpired between the first indication of a perturbance (by phase contrast microscopy) and fragmentation of the cell cytoplasm. Kinetic analysis was consistent with random cell death rather than a fixed lifetime. The percentage of cells undergoing cytolysis was governed by the cell density; at high densities, such as are present in confluent cultures, a higher percentage of cell loss was noted than at low density. Cell death was antagonized by partially purified or electrophoretically homogenous preparations of-PDGF. Pure PDGF stimulated cell survivial at ng/ml in a concentration dependent fashion. The process of cell replication was not necessary for survival because PDGF prevented cytolysis in the presence of methotrexate, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis. A brief (4 hour) treatment with PDGF prevented cell death; such PDGF treated cells displayed increased survival after being taken up with trypsin and planted onto a fresh surface in plasma supplemented medium. Pituitary fibroblast growth factor, a functional analogue of PDGF for induc of DNA synthesis in BALB/c-3T3 cells, also functioned as an anticytolytic agent. By contrast, epidermal growth factor and insulin did not. Cytolysis of SV40-transformed cells occurred at a constitutively low rate and was insensitive to PDGF.
Why Do We Teach

Abstract “My teaching is really about helping those I work with to become open-minded and inquisitive thinkers.”
TESLA: A Tool for Annotating Geospatial Language Corpora

In this paper, we present The gEoSpatial Language Annotator (TESLA)--a tool which supports human annotation of geospatial language corpora. TESLA interfaces with a GIS database for annotating grounded geospatial entities and uses Google Earth for visualization of both entity search results and evolving object and speaker position from GPS tracks. We also discuss a current annotation effort using TESLA to annotate location descriptions in a geospatial language corpus.
Stop-flow lithography to generate cell-laden microgel particles

Encapsulating cells within hydrogels is important for generating three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs for drug delivery and tissue engineering. This paper describes, for the first time, the fabrication of large numbers of cell-laden microgel particles using a continuous microfluidic process called stop-flow lithography (SFL). Prepolymer solution containing cells was flowed through a microfluidic device and arrays of individual particles were repeatedly defined using pulses of UV light through a transparency mask. Unlike photolithography, SFL can be used to synthesize microgel particles continuously while maintaining control over particle size, shape and anisotropy. Therefore, SFL may become a useful tool for generating cell-laden microgels for various biomedical applications.
Helium runaways in white dwarfs

The long term evolution of an accreting carbon white dwarf was studied from the onset of accretion to the ignition of helium. The variations in the details of the helium shell flash examined with respect to variations in mass accretion rate. For intermediate rates the helium flash is potentially explosive whereas for high rates the shell flash is relatively weak. The results are discussed in the context of the long term evolution of novae.
Surgical management of chronic unremitting constipation and fecal incontinence associated with megarectum: A preliminary report.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Functional constipation with associated fecal incontinence responds poorly to medical management once megarectum has developed. The authors describe resecting the dilated rectum and inserting a cecostomy button for antegrade enemas in this difficult condition. Methods: Four children, ages 9 to 15 years, with a history of unremitting constipation and fecal incontinence were referred for evaluation after not responding to medical management. All patients had exhibited normal lumbosacral magnetic resonance images (MRI) and open rectal biopsies; however, all 4 patients had a megarectum on contrast enema. In addition, anorectal manometry was consistent with functional fecal retention. The dilated rectum was resected by anastamosing the nondilated sigmoid colon to the distal rectum, and a standard gastrostomy button was inserted into the cecum for antegrade enemas. Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 8 to 60 months). Results: Constipation and incontinence resolved within 6 months in all patients, and all children remained continent without the aid of cathartic agents. There were no postoperative episodes of fecal impaction. The only complication was antibiotic-associated diarrhea in 1 patient. Cecostomy buttons were removed at 1 year postplacement in all 4 patients with continued success. Three patients underwent repeat anorectal manometry; all 3 had normal rectal sensory threshold volumes and anorectal inhibitory reflexes. Barium studies also were obtained in the 3 patients without evidence of recurrent rectal dilation. Conclusions: Refractory constipation and incontinence associated with megarectum may be amenable to surgical intervention in selected patients. The authors' limited experience suggests that proctectomy and button cecostomy is an effective treatment option that improves the quality of life in these patients. Furthermore, proctectomy alone may be curative. J Pediatr Surg 37:76-79. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.
Nuclear physics experiments with the ornl-hhirf supersonic gas jet target

A study of target-like fragments produced by bombarding a /sup 14/N target with 150 MeV /sup 28/Si shows that mass and charge distribution of products from orbiting processes is determined by partitioning of an equilibrated dinuclear system. The experiment was performed with the HHIRF supersonic gas jet target which is also described briefly. 6 references, 10 figures.
Identifying successful versus unsuccessful loans held by the minority small business clients of an OMBE affiliate

Abstract Successful and unsuccessful loans to minority small businessmen are discriminated using applicant demographic and firm characteristic variables available at the time of application for 65 firms in Cleveland, Ohio. The businessmen studied are the clients of an affiliate of the Office of Minority Business Enterprise and represent a unique segment of the small business community, which has proven to be particularly success resistant. A set of demographic and firm variables are identified that are associated with loan success and can be used to construct a profile of preferred loan applicants. The relative importance of the different variables in discriminating between the two groups of loans and their combined explanatory power is reported.
Movie Review: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

The human condition is such that even in the face of adversity, catastrophe, and loss, there is a powerful need to rise out of an oppressive and abusive state in the hope of finding meaningful, saf...
Synthesis and Reactivity of the Ruthenium(II) Dihydride Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2H2

The reaction of air-stable [RuCl2(COD)]x with Ph2PNMeNMePPh2 and NaOMe in sec-butyl alcohol under argon at 85 °C affords the ruthenium dihydride Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2H2 (1) in high yield. 1 reacts with CO, O2, S8, and CH2Cl2, affording the complexes Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(CO) (2), Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(O2) (3), Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(S2) (4), and Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(H)(Cl) (5), respectively. 1 also reacts with PhC⋮CH, EtO2CC⋮CH, and C6H6 by C−H activation, yielding the complexes Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(H)(C⋮CPh) (6), Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(H)(C⋮CCO2Et) (7), and Ru(Ph2PNMeNMePPh2)2(H)(Ph) (8), respectively. The crystal structures of 3, 4 and 5 have been determined.
A New Voice: Korean American Women in Sports

This study examines the cultural meanings Korean American women give to participation in sports. Interviews with six Korean American women at a large Midwestern university revealed that their sport...
B-Lymphocyte-Mediated Delayed Cognitive Impairment following Stroke

Each year, 10 million people worldwide survive the neurologic injury associated with a stroke. Importantly, stroke survivors have more than twice the risk of subsequently developing dementia compared with people who have never had a stroke. The link between stroke and the later development of dementia is not understood. There are reports of oligoclonal bands in the CSF of stroke patients, suggesting that in some people a B-lymphocyte response to stroke may occur in the CNS. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that a B-lymphocyte response to stroke could contribute to the onset of dementia. We discovered that, in mouse models, activated B-lymphocytes infiltrate infarcted tissue in the weeks after stroke. B-lymphocytes undergo isotype switching, and IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies are found in the neuropil adjacent to the lesion. Concurrently, mice develop delayed deficits in LTP and cognition. Genetic deficiency, and the pharmacologic ablation of B-lymphocytes using an anti-CD20 antibody, prevents the appearance of delayed cognitive deficits. Furthermore, immunostaining of human postmortem tissue revealed that a B-lymphocyte response to stroke also occurs in the brain of some people with stroke and dementia. These data suggest that some stroke patients may develop a B-lymphocyte response to stroke that contributes to dementia, and is potentially treatable with FDA-approved drugs that target B cells.
Parametric generation of energetic short mid-infrared pulses for dielectric laser acceleration

Laser-driven high-gradient electron acceleration in dielectric photonic structures is an enabling technology for compact and robust sources of tunable monochromatic x-rays. Such advanced x-ray sources are sought in medical imaging, security, industrial, and scientific applications. The use of long-wavelength pulses can mitigate the problem of laser-induced breakdown in dielectric structures at high optical intensities, relax the structure fabrication requirements, and allow greater pulse energy to be injected into the structure. We report on the design and construction of a simple and robust, short-pulse parametric source operating at a center wavelength 5 μm, to be used as a pump for a dielectric photonic structure for laser-driven acceleration. The source is based on a two-stage parametric downconversion design, consisting of a β-BaB2O4-based 2.05 μm optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and a ZnGeP2-based 5 μm OPA. The 2.05 μm OPA is presently pumped by a standard Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplified laser, which will be replaced with direct laser pumping at wavelengths in the future. The design and performance of the constructed short-pulse mid-infrared source are described. The demonstrated architecture is also of interest for use in other applications, such as high harmonic generation and attosecond pulse production.
Gas Lubrication of a Ringless Piston in an Internal Combustion Engine Under Dynamic Loading

Lubrification gazeuse d'un piston sans segments dans un moteur a combustion interne soumis a des sollicitations dynamiques
Tenderization of Chicken Muscle: The Stability of Alkali-Insoluble Connective Tissue During Post-Mortem Aging

SUMMARY— The relation between tenderness of breast and thigh muscles from chicken broilers and stability of connective tissue therein was measured during post-mortem aging. Tenderness was determined with a Warner-Bratzler shear-force apparatus and with a trained taste panel. Maximum shear-resistance values occurred in breast muscles 3 to 4 hr post-mortem; minimum values were reached 12 hr post-mortem and did not change significantly during aging for 8 days. Maximum shear-resistance values occurred in thigh muscles 3 hr post-mortem; in these muscles tenderization continued during 8 days of aging. In contrast, alkali-insoluble connective tissue determined in either raw or cooked muscle (as measured by alkali-insoluble hydroxyproline) did not change significantly as a function of post-mortem aging time (1 hr vs 24 hr for breast meat, 1 day vs 8 days for thigh meat). Cooking solubilized considerable amounts of the connective tissue. Post-mortem tenderization of chicken meat is not related to changes in connective tissue but must be ascribed to some other fraction (or fractions) of muscle tissue.
An empirical evaluation of three regional growth models

There exist a variety of models pertaining to the explanation of the regional growth process. Some empirical evidence exists in support of some of these models. It is not possible, however, to evaluate the relative merits of the models on the basis of the evidence, for the data base used for each differ from that used for the others. Yet, in view of the large number of models available, and the tendency to develop new ones, it is crucial that such an empirical evaluation be made.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic: A case study of how modeling can assist all stages of vaccine decision-making

During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic nearly every decision associated with new vaccine development and dissemination occurred from the Spring of 2009, when the novel virus first emerged, to the ...
Right middle lobe atelectasis following right upper lobe resection in the immediate postoperative period

Patients who undergo resection of the right upper lobe of the lung may be predisposed to developing atelectasis when compared to other lung resections. The radiographic examinations of four patients with collapse of the right middle lobe following right upper lobe lobectomy were reviewed. The diagnosis of right middle lobe collapse is based on the findings of increased opacification in the right upper paramediastinal region and volume loss of the right hemithorax.
Left Atrial Rhythm: Experimental Production in Man

Various criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of left atrial rhythm (LAR) in previous experimental and electrocardiographic studies. Differentiation from A-V junctional rhythms remains ill-defined. In order to assess the left atrial (LA) P wave and to define LAR, the P wave and loop were studied by direct LA pacing in 11 patients undergoing diagnostic transseptal left heart catheterization. Experimental LAR produced changes in P-wave configuration and polarity. These changes were most obvious in lead V1 and indicated reversal of the sequence and direction of activation with left atrial preceding right atrial depolarization. A typical "dome and dart" P wave occurred in two studies. P-wave configuration in leads I and V6 was highly variable; frequent orientation of the LA P vector within the transitional zone of the horizontal electrical axis was thought to be responsible. The LA P loop showed reversal of the direction of inscription of the initial forces, indicating a change in the pattern of atria...
Food reward: Orexin-signaling in ventral tegmental area contributes to high-fat intake induced by accumbens opioid stimulation.

The nucleus accumbens in the ventral striatum is considered a pivotal structure in food reward and addictive behavior. Injection of the mu-opioid agonist DAMGO into this structure powerfully stimulates intake of preferred palatable foods such as high fat, but the downstream neural mechanisms are not well understood. We have previously shown that accumbens-hypothalamic projections and orexin-signaling are important since ICV administration of the selective orexin receptor antagonist SB334768 blocks about 70% of the feeding response to accumbens DAMGO. Here we examined the effects of focal injections of the orexin-blocker into brain sites receiving dense orexin-innervation in order to identify the site of action of orexin-signaling. SB334768 injected bilaterally into the ventral tegmental area of rats, significantly attenuated accumbens DAMGO-induced high-fat intake by about 50%. Focal injections into other areas receiving heavy orexin projections, including the arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus did not significantly change DAMGO-induced high-fat intake. We conclude that orexin-signaling in the ventral tegmental area is crucial for the expression of palatable food consumption elicited by opioid-stimulation of the nucleus accumbens. This pathway is likely to activate the mesolimbic dopamine system eliciting the “wanting” aspect of food reward. Involvement of additional sites of orexin-signaling such as the lateral hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, and or nucleus of the solitary tract in this model for reward-driven appetite remains to be tested. Supported by NIDDK 47348.
Bonding techniques for the fabrication of internally cooled x-ray monochromators

At CHESS, 2500 W total are absorbed by the first crystal of the double bounce monochromators located at the A2 and F2 wiggler beamlines. In order to dissipate this absorbed power and deliver the highest X-ray flux to an end station, we have explored the technique of internally cooling the silicon first crystals with water channels. This technique brings with it the need for reliable mechanical joints between the silicon diffracting surface and a glass or silicon water manifold. The joint must have structural strength to resist the internal water pressure and the cyclic heat load, be vacuum leak tight for operation in UHV, and not act as a source of residual strain in the crystal lattice of the diffracting surface. We have explored four bonding techniques which have been tested for their suitability to monochromator fabrication: direct silicon to silicon bonding, anodic glass to silicon bonding, a variety of ceramic and die attach adhesives (alumina, zirconia, silica/silver) and metallic diffusion bonding/brazing. In this paper, we characterize each method with respect to the requirements of structural integrity (bond tensile strength), residual strain (minimal effect on diffraction quality) and vacuum compatibility.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Order Imbalance in the FTSE Index Futures Market: Electronic versus Open Outcry Trading

Abstract: This study examines trading activities before and after the transfer of the FTSE 100 index futures contract from open outcry to electronic trading. Daily order imbalance exhibits strong serial persistence in the electronic limit order market, but not in open-outcry trading. Both excess buying and selling reduce liquidity. In the electronic venue, prior market movements barely affect investors' buying or selling decisions. Excess buy orders do not generate any price impact, but sell orders do. Positive imbalances are more strongly autocorrelated than negative imbalances. No trading elements, such as order imbalance, volume, or open interest, are associated with volatility. Moreover, excess buying decreases volatility. Such evidence suggests that the development and growth of electronic trading has changed the dynamics of trading activities in many important ways.
High-resolution compact photonic crystal devices for integrated wavelength demultiplexing

In this talk, the optimal operation condition in the photonic crystal (PC) structures for the best demultiplexing performance is discussed. The reflection at the interfaces of the photonic crystal region and comparison of different schemes to reduce these losses are also presented.
Aristotle on the Existential Import of Singular Sentences

Aristotle is sometimes held to the thesis [Ti] that singular affirmative sentences imply the existence of a bearer for the grammatical subject of the sentence. Thus the truth of "Socrates is sick" requires that something exist which is identical with Socrates. Attribution of TI to Aristotle can be justified by appeal to Categories 13 b 27-33 which seems to contain a straightforward statement of the thesis. Unfortunately, T I's status becomes problematic in light of On Interpretation 21 a 24-28, for here Aristotle seems to deny TI explicitly. This, at least, is the consensus among his commentators.1 We are thus faced with a serious inconsistency in Aristotle's account of singular sentences, an inconsistency most interpreters are content merely to mention, if they notice it at all.2 The first part of this paper advances some suggestions for reconciling the troublesome passages. In the second part I draw out certain related features of Aristotle's theory of singular sentences.
A color clustering technique for image segmentation

Abstract This paperr describes a clustering algorithm for segmenting the color images of natural scenes. The proposed method operates in the 1976 CIE (L∗, a∗, b∗)-uniform color coordinate system. It detects image clusters in some circular-cylindrical decision elements of the color space. This estimates the clusters' color distributions without imposing any constraints on their forms. Surfaces of the decision elements are formed with constant lightness and constant chromaticity loci. Each surface is obtained using only 1D histogramsof the L∗, H°, C∗ cylindrical coordinates of the image data or the extracted feature vector. The Fisher linear discriminant method is then used to project simultaneously the detected color clusters onto a line for 1D thresholding. This permits utilization of all the color properties for segmentation and inherently recognizes their respective cross correlation. In this respect, the proposed algorithm also differs from the multiple histogram-based thresholding schemes.
Microstructure and fracture characteristics of rapidly solidified AiLiMg alloys containing 4 and 5 wt.% Li

Abstract The microstructure and fracture characteristics of rapidly solidified AlLiMg alloys containing 4–5 wt.% Li and 6.5–10 wt.% Mg have been evaluated. Rapid solidification suppressed the formation of constituent phases during solidification, although Al 3 Li precipitated from solid solution after solidification. The alloys were then annealed at 673 K to simulate the hot-degassing treatment normally performed prior to final consolidation of powder metallurgy aluminum alloys. Dissolution of the metastable Al 3 Li and precipitation of the equilibrium Al 2 LiMg phase occurred during annealing at 673 K. Fractographic analyses showed that the fracture mechanism in alloys containing 0.23 or less volume fraction of Al 2 LiMg phase is microvoid coalescence, while the alloy with 0.35 volume fraction of Al 2 LiMg failed by a brittle fracture mechanism involving interplace decohesion and/or cleavage of the intermetallic phase.
Modeling spatial patterns in soil arsenic to estimate natural baseline concentrations.

Arsenic in soil is an important public health concern, but risk-based toxicity regulatory standards derived from laboratory studies should also consider concentrations measured away from obvious contamination (i.e., baseline concentrations that approximate natural background) to avoid unnecessary remediation burdens on society. We used soil and stream sediment samples from the USGS National Geochemical Survey to assess the spatial distribution of As over a 1.16 × 10 km area corresponding to the state of Ohio. Samples were collected at 348 soil and 144 stream sites at locations selected to minimize anthropogenic inputs. Total As was measured by sodium peroxide fusion with subsequent dissolution using concentrated HCl and analysis using hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenic in the soil and streambed samples ranged from 2.0 to 45.6 mg kg. Sequential Gaussian simulation was used to map the expected concentration of As and its uncertainty. Five areas of elevated concentration, greater than the median of 10 mg kg, were identified, and relationships to geologic parent materials, glacial sedimentation, and soil conditions interpreted. Arsenic concentrations 10 mg kg common, and >20 mg kg not unusual for the central and west central portions of Ohio. Concentrations typically exceeded the soil As human generic screening level of 0.39 mg kg, a value corresponding to an increase in cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000 for soil ingestion. Such results call into question the utility of the USEPA and similarly low soil screening levels. The contrast between laboratory screens and concentrations occurring in nature argue for risk assessment on the basis of baseline concentrations.
PAR1-Activated Astrocytes in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract Stimulate Adjacent Neurons via NMDA Receptors

Severe autonomic dysfunction, including the loss of control of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems, is a common comorbidity of stroke and other bleeding head injuries. Previous studies suggest that this collapse of autonomic control may be caused by thrombin acting on astrocytic protease-activated receptors (PAR1) in the hindbrain. Using calcium imaging and electrophysiological techniques, we evaluated the mechanisms by which astrocytic PAR1s modulate the activity of presynaptic vagal afferent terminals and postsynaptic neurons in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract (NST). Our calcium-imaging data show that astrocytic and neuronal calcium levels increase after brain slices are treated with the PAR1 agonist SFLLRN-NH2. This increase in activity is blocked by pretreating the slices with the glial metabolic blocker fluorocitrate. In addition, PAR1-activated astrocytes communicate directly with NST neurons by releasing glutamate. Calcium responses to SFLLRN-NH2 in the astrocytes and neurons significantly increase after bath application of the excitatory amino acid transporter blocker dl-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartic acid (TBOA) and significantly decrease after bath application of the NMDA receptor antagonist dl-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (dl-AP5). Furthermore, astrocytic glutamate activates neuronal GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. Voltage-clamp recordings of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) from NST neurons show that astrocytes control presynaptic vagal afferent excitability directly under resting and activated conditions. Fluorocitrate significantly decreases mEPSC frequency and SFLLRN-NH2 significantly increases mEPSC frequency. These data show that astrocytes act within a tripartite synapse in the NST, controlling the excitability of both postsynaptic NST neurons and presynaptic vagal afferent terminals.
Knowledge and Skills for Teachers of Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advanced Set Development

The Council for Exceptional Children and the Council on Education of the Deaf have worked together for over a decade to maintain mutually agreed upon standards for teachers of children who are deaf...
Fluctuations and Downturns in a “Company Town”

A semi-structural VAR time-series model was used to examine movements in Flint Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) employment levels and determine how area employment was affected by movements in different sectors of the U.S. economy. Flint was chosen because in 1958 over 50 percent of the area's population was employed by the transportation industry, the majority in automobile production, and therefore Flint should be considered as a company town prototype for this modeling technique. Due to the dependency of this area's employment base on the automotive industry and the highly volatile nature of area employment levels, the Choleski decomposition was used instead of the structural Bernanke method. It was found that the effects of movements in the automotive industry were a major impact on aggregate area employment as well as on virtually all manufacturing sectors. These results are more robust than those for the Detroit Metropolitan Statistical Area (PSA)1. This is due primarily to Flint's greater degree of area dependency on the automotive-industry.
800-2 Five Year Changes in Coronary Calcification by Ultrafast Computed Tomography

Long term changes in coronary artery calcification (CAC) by ultrafast computed tomography (UFCT) has not been investigated. One hundred twenty five, 74 m 50 f, (50.5 ± 8.63 yrs) initially asymptomatic at risk subjects were scanned 61.1 ± 4.0 months apart. CAC was scored by Agatston's method, a score of 1 or greater was considered positive. At baseline, 45 subjects had CAC (151.3 ± 225.3). 46.7% with scores of 40 or less. At follow-up, 60 subjects were positive (311.1 ± 411.7), 38.3% with scores of 40 or less. A Wilcoxon rank sum showed significant increases of the initial 45 positive subjects (p l 0.001). The majority of new CAC were less than 40 (14/16) (23.2 ± 47.8). One subject had a score of 5 at baseline and 0 at follow up. Seven subjects, 6 with CAC, went on to develop clinical coronary artery disease (CAD). Development of CAD was significantly associated with CAC increases of 40 or greater (6/35 vs 0/25, n = 45, p = 0.0359 Fisher's Exact Test). Increases in CAC correlated to initial score (r = 0.84, P l 0.01). These data indicate that CAC increases at a detectable rate and that larger changes are associated with the development of CAD. Download : Download high-res image (89KB) Download : Download full-size image
The Impact of Policy, Environmental, and Educational Interventions A Synthesis of the Evidence From Two Public Health Success Stories

Motor vehicle safety and tobacco control are among the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the number of miles traveled in the United States multiplied 10 times from the 1920s to the 1990s, the annual motor vehicle crash death rate per vehicle mile traveled decreased by 90%. Similarly, tobacco-related deaths from heart disease, stroke, and cancer were rapidly mounting over the first two thirds of the 20th century. Then, in the last third of the century, tobacco consumption decreased by more than 50%, and rates of heart disease and stroke deaths, and later cancer deaths, declined similarly. This analysis addresses the central question of what lessons can be learned from these success stories that will help public health professionals successfully tackle new and emerging health behavior problems of today and tomorrow? Surveillance, research, multilevel interventions, environmental modifications, and strong policies were key to reducing motor vehicle- and tobacco-related health problems. Generating public support and advocacy, and changing social norms also played critical roles in promoting the safer and smoke-free behaviors. Lessons learned include the need for evidence-based practices and interventions that are ecologically comprehensive with an emphasis on changing environmental determinants and capitalizing on the concept of reciprocal determinism. The analysis concludes with a description of how the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning framework can be used to apply the lessons from motor vehicle safety and tobacco control to other public health threats.
Zebrafish inositol polyphosphate kinases: New effectors of cilia and developmental signaling

We described here our recent findings that Ipk1 catalyzed production of IP6 regulates LR-axis specification (Sarmah et al., 2005) and that IP6 is an essential effector of ciliary beating and length maintenance in zebrafish (Sarmah et al., 2007). We have also uncovered a novel role for the IP kinase IP6k2 in craniofacial development, neural crest cell migration, and hedgehog signal transduction (B.S. an S.R.W., unpublished). Together, these findings place IP production as a key mediator for cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate vital cellular and developmental processes. How these and other IPs are integrated with cell-cell signaling networks during complex processes, such as, tissue morphogenesis and maintenance of cell fate and function? We propose that with its enormous resource and unique set of structural, functional, and sensory attributes, cilium provide a platform for executing IP-based signaling functions. Given the evolutionary conservation of the IP repertoire and pathways, the developmental and molecular events uncovered in our studies in the zebrafish system could be applicable in other vertebrates including humans. This unbiased approach of systematic identification of IP functions in cilia and development will aid in understanding of multiple disease pathologies including ciliopathies and dysmorphic syndromes.
Relative Potency of Chemical Carcinogens in Rodents

Extensive carcinogenesis data compiled by Gold et al.(1) for 770 compounds tested in 2944 chronic bioassays in animals provided an opportunity to compare cancer rates across animal species for a wide variety of compounds administered by various routes of exposure. The comparisons in this paper are restricted to the most frequently tested species: rats, mice, and hamsters. When sufficient experimental data exist, Gold et al.1’ provide estimates of the TD50 (the chronic dose rate expressed in mg/kg body weight/day which halves the actuarially adjusted percentage of tumor-free animals at the end of a standard lifetime experiment). Since the current practice generally is to base risk assessments upon the data set producing the highest cancer risk, the ratio of the minimum TD50's provides a measure of the relative potency between two species for each compound administered to animals by the same route. The geometric means of the ratios of minimum TD50's for rats: mice are 1/2.2 and 1/1.3 for diet and gavage, respectively. A mean ratio for rats: mice of 1/1.48 is obtained for compounds administered in the diet when the tumor site is the liver for both species. In general the minimum TD50 is lowest for the rat and highest for the hamster. Although limited data are available for inhalation studies, this route of administration resulted in the poorest agreement between rats and mice. In general, comparisons of minimum TD50's across the three rodent species are generally within a factor of 100 for a wide variety of compounds.