cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the magnetic entropy change in the metallic antiperovskite Mn3GaC1−δ (δ=0, 0.22)

Abstract The character of the magnetic phase transitions in the metallic antiperovskite Mn3GaC1−δ ( δ = 0 , 0.22) was analyzed to better evaluate the associated magnetic entropy changes under various field and temperature conditions. The stoichiometric Mn3GaC compound exhibits an abrupt magnetostructural transition at T = 159 K that produces a large entropy change Δ S M with a plateau-like temperature dependence. A unique spike in Δ S M of Mn3GaC at T = 156.5 K , associated with the abrupt magnetic transformation, is attributed to the interplay between the temperature- and field-induced transitions. The peak magnitude of this entropy change spike approaches 33 J/kg K, over two times the averaged Δ S M . It was observed that the field development of Δ S M mimics the analogous magnetization behavior. An analytical phenomenological model based on the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization of this type of magnetic transition was developed to account for these results.
Subjective analysis of a HMM-based visual speech synthesizer

Emerging broadband communication systems promise a future of multimedia telephony. The addition of visual information, for example, during telephone conversions would be most beneficial to people with impaired hearing useful for speech reading, based on existing narrowband communications system used for speech signal. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM)-based visual speech synthesizer is designed to improve speech understanding. The key elements in the application of HMMs to this problem are: a) the decomposition of the overall modeling task into key stages; and, b) the judicious determination of the components of the observation vector for each stage. The main contribution of this paper is the development of a novel correlation HMM model that is able to integrate independently trained acoustic and visual HMMs for speech-to-visual synthesis. This model allows increased flexibility in choosing model topologies for the acoustic and visual HMMs. It also reduces the amount of required training data compared to early integration modeling techniques. Results form objective and subjective analysis show that an HMM correlating model can significantly decrease audio-visual synchronization errors and increase speech understanding.
CRT-5 Why Patients Presenting with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Treated with Prasugrel are Switching Back to Clopidogrel

The reasons for switching from prasugrel back to clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unclear, but are frequently practiced. The study aims to compare the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients initially given prasugrel but
Developing a Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Therapeutic Research Agenda for Resource-Limited Countries: A Consensus Statement

To develop a research agenda for use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in countries with highly limited resources for health, research questions focused on 3 areas: when therapy should be initiated, what therapies should be used, and the most appropriate methods for patient monitoring. Participants from 23 countries and 6 continents were clinical and academic researchers, health care practitioners, policy authorities, pharmaceutical experts, and health care advocates. The conference attendees reviewed background materials and participated in 13 state-of-the-art presentations on ART provision in resource-limited countries, treatment access, ethics, community issues, and sustainability. Conferees separated into smaller groups to identify priorities for specific research agendas. Existing multinational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical trials networks, such as the HIVNAT (The Netherlands, Australia, and Thailand) Network, were studied as infrastructure models for research into affordable, sustainable treatment and monitoring strategies suitable for resource-limited settings. The delivery of ART in resource-limited countries is a vital priority for health care providers and the millions of people living with HIV disease. To achieve sustainable approaches to HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome care, research relevant to resource-limited settings must involve local researchers and community representatives to promote development of local capacity.
Sonographic intraperitoneal fluid in patients with pelvic fracture: two cases of traumatic intraperitoneal bladder rupture

Two patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in shock with severe pelvic fractures were evaluated for intra-abdominal injury with a focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination. Free intraperitoneal fluid was identified in the hepato-renal recess of both patients. At laparotomy both patients were found to have extensive uroperitoneum resulting from intraperitoneal bladder rupture and no other intra-abdominal injuries. The source of shock in both cases was ultimately determined to be arterial hemorrhage from pelvic vessels. The utility of FAST examinations in the setting of major pelvic injury is relatively unstudied. Coincident injuries make the evaluation for source of hemorrhage in this subset of patients challenging. This is a report of sonographic intraperitoneal fluid in the setting of major pelvic injury and hemodynamic instability found to be uroperitoneum and not hemoperitoneum.
Aortic Stenosis in Pregnancy: A Case Report

This case report describes a pregnant patient with severe aortic stenosis. A multidisciplinary plan of care was developed for the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and, ultimately, postoperative clinical course. Salient points reviewed include normal cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, hemodynamic and physiologic changes of pregnancy, bicuspid aortic valvular stenosis, and the patient's clinical data profile. Numerous psychosocial stresses and the need for specialized nursing added to the complexity of caring for this patient.
Human acoustic neurinomas: nervous system specific biochemical parameters.

A series of 24 human acoustic neurinomas from 24 patients has been assayed for several biochemical parameters characteristic of the nervous system. S 100 protein, 2′, 3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase activity, and the myelin lipids galactosylceramide and sulfogalactosylceramide (sulfatide). Myelin basic protein was not detected. These findings further support the neuroectodermal origin of the human acoustic neurinoma, and provide additional biochemical markers for further study.
Uses and limitations of electromyography in the quantitative study of skeletal muscle function

Abstract Studies of the electrical activity of human skeletal muscle provide much valuable information with respect to the time, duration, and phasic relationships of muscle contraction, as well as for the diagnosis and prognosis of neuromuscular disease. However, the measurement of such mechanical functions as force, speed, and work from electromyographic data is possible only under certain restricted conditions. In such studies, the “integrated” electromyogram has been found to be useful. In view of many difficulties of both technique and interpretation in relating the electromyogram to mechanical function, it is considered that such quantitative studies will not prove to be of extensive applicability in the case of muscles of importance in dentistry.
A strategy of tRNA recognition that includes determinants of RNA structure

Abstract Recognition of tRNAs by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases establishes the connection between amino acids and anticodon triplets of the genetic code. Although anticodons and nucleotides adjacent to the amino acid attachment site are generally important, the tertiary structural framework of tRNAs has recently been implicated to have a role in tRNA recognition. A G15:G48 tertiary hydrogen base pair of E. coli tRNACys is important for recognition of the tRNA by cysteine tRNA synthetase. This base pair is proposed to consist of N2:N3, rather than N1:O6, hydrogen bonds. The reproduction of the hydrogen pairing scheme of G15:G48 and the structural features related to this pairing has been recently achieved in the sequence framework of E. coli tRNAGly. This reproduction required an A13:A22 mismatch in the dihyrouridine stem. To determine if A13:A22 is a determinant of the structural features of G15:G48, we investigated the A15:U48 and A15:A48 variants of tRNAGly which harbored specific substitutions of A13:A22. We show here that introduction of A13:A22 to both tRNA frameworks confers structural features similar to those of G15:G48 in E. coli tRNACys. These structural features are accompanied by efficient recognition of both tRNAs by cysteine tRNA synthetase. Substitution of A13:A22 with U13:A22 alters the structural features at 15:48 and impairs tRNA recognition. The dependence on A13:A22 for tRNA recognition has a distinct similarity to that of E. coli tRNACys and to that of the G15:G48 variant of tRNAGly. The results have implications for the design and manipulation of RNA structural elements as the basis for tRNA recognition.
A Novel Mutagenesis Strategy Identifies Distantly Spaced Amino Acid Sequences That Are Required for the Phosphorylation of Both the Oligosaccharides of Procathepsin D by N-Acetylglucosamine 1-Phosphotransferase

Abstract A novel combinatorial mutagenesis strategy (shuffle mutagenesis) was developed to identify sequences in the propiece and amino lobe of cathepsin D which direct oligosaccharide phosphorylation by UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphotransferase. Propiece restriction fragments and oligonucleotide cassettes corresponding to 13 regions of the cathepsin D and glycopepsinogen amino lobes were randomly shuffled together to generate a large library of chimeric molecules. The library was inserted into an expression vector encoding the carboxyl lobe of cathepsin D with a carboxyl-terminal myc epitope and a CD8 transmembrane extension. Transfected COS1 cells expressing the membrane-anchored forms of the cathepsin D/glycopepsinogen chimeras at the cell surface were selected with solid phase mannose 6-phosphate receptor or an antibody to the myc epitope. Plasmids were rescued in Escherichia coli and sequenced by hybridization to the original oligonucleotide cassettes. Two regions of the cathepsin D amino lobe (segments 7 and 12) were found to contribute to proper folding, surface expression, and selective phosphorylation of the carboxyl lobe oligosaccharide. Two different cathepsin D regions (the propiece and segment 5) cooperated with a previously identified recognition element in the carboxyl lobe to allow efficient phosphorylation of both the amino and carboxyl lobe oligosaccharides. Three general models for extending the catalytic reach of N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphotransferase to widely spaced oligosaccharides are presented.
Cellular mechanism of synergistic stimulation of PGE2 production by phorbol diester and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 in cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Abstract The synergistic stimulation of arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin (PG) E 2 production was observed when quiescent Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were exposed to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and Ca 2+ ionophore, A23187. Addition of PMA or A23187 by itself was not effective. When cells were treated with 50 n m PMA and 0.1 μ m A23187 at a suboptimal concentration, there was a marked increase in the production of PGE 2 . In the presence of higher concentrations of A23187 (5–10 μ m ), 50 n m PMA was only synergistic in potentiating the liberation of free arachidonic acid, but failed to stimulate the PGE 2 production. The amount of free arachidonic acid liberated by 50 n m PMA and 10 μ m A23187 reached a maximum level within several hours, whereas PGE 2 synthesis induced by 50 n m PMA and 0.1 μ m A23187 proceeded with a slower process requiring more than 24 h to reach a maximum. The stimulated PGE 2 synthesis was blocked by transcription and translation inhibitors. The addition of 50 n m PMA alone or the mixture of 50 n m PMA and 0.1 μ m A23187 was found similarly to increase the cellular PG endoperoxide synthase activity, suggesting that PMA was responsible for the increased enzyme activity. However, these agents failed to enhance the activities of phospholipases and PGE 2 synthase from PGH 2 . Northern blot analysis confirmed the increased level of PG endoperoxide synthase mRNA in the cells treated with PMA. The effect of PMA was mimicked by other protein kinase C activators. The pretreatment with PMA caused a down-regulation in the PGE 2 production. The stimulated PGE 2 production was abolished in the presence of selective protein kinase C inhibitors such as staurosporine and H-7. In addition, sphingosine, dihyrosphingosine, and psychosine, recently found to be protein kinase C inhibitors, blocked the effect of PMA in intact MDCK cells. Thus, the results indicate that the synergistically stimulated PGE 2 production with phorbol diesters and 0.1 μ m A23187 occurred principally through the de novo synthesis of PG endoperoxide synthase, also implying a role for protein kinase C.
Linear dose-response of acentric chromosome fragments down to 1 R of X-rays in grasshopper neuroblasts, a potential mutagen-test system

Grasshopper-embryo neuroblasts have no spontaneous chromosome breakage; therefore they permit easy detection of agents that break chromosomes. An X-ray exposure of 1 R induces in them a detectable number of chromosome fragments. The dose-response of acentric fragment frequency fits a linear model between 0 and 128 R. Thus another cell type is added to those previously demonstrated to have no threshold dose for the induction of chromosome or gene mutations.
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostate in a healing sternotomy site

Metastatic prostate cancer has a strong predilection for osseous sites, where the disease spreads in 80% of advanced cases. The molecular mechanisms involved in prostate cancer establishment in bone are largely unknown; however, local tissue factors, including those involved in wound healing, have been suggested to play a critical role. We present a case of tumor explosion in a median sternotomy wound after local prostate cancer therapy. This case highlights that novel therapeutic interventions that disrupt the apparent synergistic relationship between tumor cells and the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment may hold great promise in constraining the proliferation of prostate cancer metastases.
Fellow students from distant shores: The presence of foreign students is of social and economic significance. It is to our benefit to provide for them a welcome environment

In 1960, foreign students made up 1.5 percent of the college student population in the United States. By 1980, that figure had jumped to 2.6 percent, an estimated 311 880 of total college enrollment. At the present rate of growth, foreign student enrollment could reach 1 million, or 10 percent of all students, by the 1990s. It is interesting to note that in 1980, 25.8 percent of foreign students were enrolled in engineering fields and another 6.1 percent were in mathematics and computer science fields. There is every reason to believe that these percentages will continue to increase.
“Hello, How May I Offend You Today?” NBC's Outsourced and the Discourse of Cultural Authenticity

Cultural authenticity is a fluid construct in an era in which globalization is celebrated and vilified. The author examines how cultural authenticity is discursively ascribed, legitimized, and nego...
The Connection Between a Lyman Limit System, a Very Strong O VI Absorber, and Galaxies at z ~ 0.203

With a column density log N(O VI) = 14.95 ± 0.05, the O VI absorber at z abs 0.2028 observed toward the quasi-stellar object PKS 0312-77 (z em = 0.223) is the strongest yet detected at z < 0.5. At nearly identical redshift (z abs 0.2026), we also identify a Lyman limit system (LLS, log N(H I) = 18.22+0.19 –0.25). Combining FUV and NUV spectra of PKS 0312-77 with optical observations of galaxies in the surrounding field (15' × 32'), we present an analysis of these absorbers and their connection to galaxies. The observed O I/H I ratio and photoionization modeling of other low ions indicate that the metallicity of the LLS is [Z/H]LLS –0.6, and that the LLS is nearly 100% photoionized. In contrast, the O VI-bearing gas is collisionally ionized at T ~ (3-10) × 105 K as derived from the high-ion ratios and profile broadenings. Our galaxy survey reveals 13 (0.3 L/L * 1.6) galaxies at ρ < 2h –1 70 Mpc and |δv| 1100 km s–1 from the LLS. A probable origin for the LLS is debris from a galaxy merger, which led to a 0.7 L * galaxy ([Z/H]gal +0.15) at ρ 38h –1 70 kpc. Outflow from this galaxy may also be responsible for the supersolar ([Z/H]abs +0.15), fully ionized absorber at z abs 0.2018 (–190 km s–1 from the LLS). The hot O VI absorber likely probes coronal gas about the 0.7 L * galaxy and/or (~0.1 keV) intragroup gas of a spiral-rich system. The association of other strong O VI absorbers with LLS suggests that they trace galactic and not intergalactic structures.
A 92%-efficiency wide-input-voltage-range switched-capacitor DC-DC converter

The traditional inductor-based buck converter has been the dominant design for step-down switched-mode voltage regulators for decades. Switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converters, on the other hand, have traditionally been used in low-power ( 80% over a load range of 5mA to 1A) than surveyed competitive buck converters, while requiring less board area and less costly passive components. The topology and controller enable a wide input voltage (V IN ) range of 7.5 to 13.5V with an output voltage (V OUT ) of 1.5V. Control techniques based on feedback and feedforward provide tight regulation (30mV pp ) under worst-case load-step (1A) conditions. This work shows that SC converters can outperform buck converters, and thus the scope of SC converter applications can and should be expanded.
Tobacco smoke iron: an initiator/promoter of multiple diseases

Tobacco smoking enhances risk for a diversity of acute and chronic diseases. Iron is a constant prominent component of mainstream tobacco smoke. The manifold toxic activities of inhaled iron could be responsible for a notable portion of the spectrum of smoking-related diseases.
Transient covert attention does alter appearance: a reply to Schneider (2006).

We recently demonstrated that transient covert attention increases the apparent contrast of a stimulus (Carrasco, Ling, & Read, 2004). Schneider (2006) proposes that the observed increase in apparent contrast is largely due to sensory interactions occurring between the precue and stimulus, rather than to attention. Specifically, he reports that cuing effects only occur at contrasts near detection threshold, and that there are confounding sensory interactions between the cue and stimulus at suprathreshold detection contrasts. Our response is twofold. First, we outline the key methodological differences between our original study and Schneider’s that are likely to account for the different results, and explain how we had ruled out the sensory interaction explanation of the cue. Second, we directly test the prediction put forth by Schneider: If the effects were due to sensory interactions, reversing the luminance polarity of the precue in our paradigm should lead to differential cuing effects. We replicate one of the experiments of our original study and add a condition in which the cue luminance is either black or white. Our results replicated our previous findings—they showed an increase in apparent contrast to a high-contrast stimulus when it was precued. Moreover, we found that the black cue and the white cue had the same effect, thus ruling out the alternative explanation proposed by Schneider. Transient attentiondoes alter contrast appearance.
Effects of Intraventricular Injections of Pituitrin and Pilocarpine in Dogs

SummaryPituitrin and pilocarpine have been administered to dogs by various routes and under various conditions. Intraventricular pituitrin in unanesthetized animals resulted in a fall in body temperature in the majority of cases, usually 0.6° or more, in distinct salivation, and in several instances in stimulation of the smooth muscle of the gastro-intestinal tract resulting in retching, vomiting or evacuation of the bowel. In animals anesthetized with chloralose there was less regularity in the effects produced, possibly because the anesthetic acts on the same centers as pituitrin.Pilocarpine intraveiitricularly in unanesthetized dogs resulted in a rise in temperature and profuse salivation as did intramuscular pilocarpine. Gastro-intestinal effects occurred more frequently after intramuscular and subcutaneous pilocarpine than after intraventricular injection.When these results are compared with those on man, it is evident that they are less conclusive and reveal marked differences in the reactions of ma...
Particle heterogeneity of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)

Abstract In this study the physical, morphological and chemical characteristics of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced by mixing three levels of condensed distillers soluble (CDS) (0%, 3.69% and 7.39% volumetric basis, v.b.) with wet distillers grains and drying were characterized. Decreasing the CDS level from 7.39% to 0% v.b. resulted in a reduction of 13.9% in geometric mean particle size and 8.8% in bulk density while the compressibility of the material increased by 3%. As the CDS level increased, pore volume, particle porosity and effective bulk porosity decreased. Crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber and ash content showed distinct patterns for all three samples studied and suggest that US sieve no. 16 (1190 μm) may be an inflection point for the chemical characteristics of DDGS granules within a bulk. The observed heterogeneity could cause sampling errors and particle segregation, and as a consequence nutrient and bulk density variability.
Do general viscoelastic stresses for the flow of an upper convected Maxwell fluid satisfy the momentum equation

Given a general velocity field consistent with the stagnation point flow, can the viscoelastic stresses arising in the flow of an upper convected Maxwell fluid found by solving the constitutive equation also satisfy the momentum equation? Consideration is given to the study of the stress tensor arising in the steady flow of an upper convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid with a velocity field consistent with the stagnation point flow. By the method of characteristics, exact solutions to the partial differential equations arising in the approximating model of the viscoelastic stresses in the flow of an upper convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid are obtained for the three components of the stress tensor, for reasonably general velocity fields. We are able to account for the effects of variable boundary data at the inflow by considering the viscoelastic stresses over two spatial variables. Furthermore, we assume a relatively general velocity field. As a special case, some results present in the recent literature are obtained; it is known that these special case solutions do not satisfy the momentum equation. In the general case we consider, we find that the general solution will not satisfy the momentum equation except in a limited restricted case. We discuss how this shortcoming might be rectified by use of a more general velocity field.
Exploring Perceptions of Social Justice Advocacy Competence Among School Counselors

With calls for professional school counselors to incorporate social justice advocacy into their roles and responsibilities, the purpose of this study was to examine perceived social justice advocacy competence among currently practicing school counselors. Analysis of the data indicated several variables associated with higher perceived competence with regard to social justice advocacy competence. The results have implications for practice and training of school counselors. Recommendations for future research are also explored.
RESPONSE OF THE HAMSTERS’ ADRENAL CORTEX TO DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE KIDNEY, THYROID AND HYPOPHYSIS

THE administration of small doses of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) does not affect significantly the weight of the adrenal glands of the rat or mouse (Selye, 1940; Mulinos et al., 1942; Leathern, 1951; Miller, 1953), although the zona glomerulosa of the rats’ adrenal may exhibit a decrease in the size of its constituent cells, a loss of sudanophilic lipid, and other signs of “compensatory atrophy” (Greep and Deane, 1947; Zweifach et al, 1951). A similar, selective response of the zona glomerulosa is reported to occur when rats are placed on sodium-deficient or sodiumrich diets (Deane et al., 1948; Nichols, 1948; Bacchus, 1950). Hypophysectomy of the rat, in contrast, results in a marked involution of the zona fasciculata and onty minimal changes in cells of the zona glomerulosa (Deane and Greep, 1946). Because of these apparently specific responses of the zona glomerulosa, it has been suggested
Robust Consensus in the Presence of Impulsive Channel Noise

A distributed average consensus algorithm robust to a wide range of impulsive channel noise distributions is proposed. This work is the first of its kind in the literature to propose a consensus algorithm which relaxes the requirement of finite moments on the communication noise. It is shown that the nodes reach consensus asymptotically to a finite random variable whose expectation is the desired sample average of the initial observations with a variance that depends on the step size of the algorithm and the receiver nonlinear function. The asymptotic performance is characterized by deriving the asymptotic covariance matrix using results from stochastic approximation theory. Simulations corroborate our analytical findings and highlight the robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Masticatory performance: a protocol for standardized production of an artificial test food

summary A protocol for standardizing the production of an artificial test food was established and its reliability was determined. An artificial test food was selected based on its superior properties compared with natural foods. The primary emphasis during production was the incorporation of all 3 cm of paste-hardener and thoroughly kneading the material for 30 s. The curing process was studied to determine overall setting time. After at least 30 min, the physical properties of the test food were ready to be measured. The overall mean hardness of the test food was 489 ± 60 load grams. Random error between operators was ±16 load grams while batches differed by ±13 load grams and individual tablets differed by ±15 load grams. This protocol provides a reliable standardized method for future masticatory performance studies.
Efficacy and safety of pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. II. Once-daily versus twice-daily dosing.

Abstract This 8-week multicenter, placebo-controlled trial compared. the efficacy and safety of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, pravastatin, when administered either as single doses of 40 mg in the morning (AM) or evening (PM) or 20 mg twice daily (bid) in 196 diet-stabilized outpatients with primary type II hypercholesterolemia. Mean reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were observed in all pravastatin groups after 1 week and were sustained throughout the study (P
Variations of Mature Cotton Fiber Tensile Properties: Association with Seed Position and Fiber Length

Variations in single fiber tensile properties of mature cotton fibers are investigated with respect to their association with seed positions and fiber-length groups within individual locules. Fibers from five varieties representing four cultivated cotton species (G. herbeceum, G. arboreum, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense) are included in this study. With the exception of G. arboreum, breaking forces, toughness, and linear density are highly dependent on the seed position in the locule, and the dependence is especially high for G. herbeceum and G. barbadense. Fibers from seeds located closer to the main stem have higher breaking forces and linear densities, indicating their association with the distribution of nutrition resources. The relationships between single fiber tensile properties and fiber lengths vary among these cotton species. Breaking force and tenacity are independent of fiber length for G. barbadense, whereas fiber-length dependence is positive for G. herbeceum and G. arboreum, and there is a ...
Increased portion size leads to increased energy intake in a restaurant meal.

Objective: Eating frequently in restaurants is one of the behaviors associated with obesity. This study examined whether increasing the portion size of an entree affected energy intake at a restaurant meal. Research Methods and Procedures: In a cafeteria-style restaurant on different days, the size of a pasta entree was varied from a standard portion (248 g) to a large portion (377 g). The entree price was not changed. Intake of the entree was determined by covertly weighing each dish before and after the meal; intake of all other foods was determined by estimating the percent consumed. The 180 adult customers who purchased the entree also completed a survey in which they rated characteristics of the meal, including the appropriateness of the entree portion size and the amount that they ate compared with their usual meal. Results: Portion size had a significant effect on intake of the entree (p < 0.0001). Compared with customers who purchased the standard portion, those who purchased the larger portion increased their energy intake of the entree by 43% (719 kJ; 172 kcal) and of the entire meal by 25% (664 kJ; 159 kcal). There was no difference between the two groups of customers in ratings of the appropriateness of the portion size or of the amount that was eaten in relation to their usual meal. Discussion: In a restaurant setting, increasing the size of an entree results in increased energy intake. These results support the suggestion that large restaurant portions may be contributing to the obesity epidemic.
Evidential logic and Dempster-Shafer theory

Most artificial intelligence applications require reasoning with uncertainty and incompleteness. Such information is not captured in terms of simple true and false values nor in terms of probabilistic estimates when relevant statistical data are lacking. In this paper, we extend Nilsson's probabilistic logic, a semantic generalization of logic, in which the truth value of a sentence is a probability value between O and 1 to evidential logic in the framework of Dempster-Shafer theory.
Isolation and identification of Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell. cv Chinese Spring-T. peregrinum Hackel disomic chromosome addition lines.

Analyses of RFLPs, isozymes, morphological markers and chromosome pairing were used to isolate 12 Triticum aestivum cv Chinese Spring (genomes A, B, and D)-T. peregrinum (genomes Sv and Uv) disomic chromosome addition lines. The evidence obtained indicates that each of the 12 lines contains an intact pair of T. peregrinum chromosomes. One monosomic addition line, believed to contain an intact 6Sv chromosome, was also isolated. A CS-7Uv chromosome addition line was not obtained. Syntenic relationships in common with the standard Triticeae arrangement were found for five of the seven Sv genome chromosomes. The exceptions were 4Sv and 7Sv. A reciprocal translocation exists between 4S1 and 7S1 in T. longissimum and evidence was obtained that the same translocation exists in T. peregrinum. In contrast, evidence for syntenic relationships in common with the standard Triticeae arrangements were found for only one Uv chromosome of T. peregrinum.; namely, chromosome 2Uv. All other Uv genome chromosomes are involved in at least one translocation, and the same translocations were found in the U genome of T. umbellulatum. Evidence was also obtained indicating that the centromeric regions of 4U and 4Uv are homoeologous to the centromeric regions of Triticeae homoeologous group-6 chromosomes, that the centromeric regions of 6U and 6Uv are homoeologous to the centromeric regions of group-4 chromosomes, and that 4U and 4Uv are more closely related overall to Triticeae homoeologous group-6 chromosomes than they are to group-4 chromosomes.
The role of the sympathoadrenal system in modulating energy expenditure.

The role of intake in generating the energy imbalance that results in obesity is obvious; the possibility that alterations in energy expenditure (exclusive of physical activity) might affect energy balance has, until recently, received considerably less attention. The demonstration by Miller and Mumford (1967) and Sims et al (1973) that different individuals were able to achieve energy balance over a variable range of caloric intakes raised the possibility that regulated changes in metabolic rate might buffer changes in caloric intake and stabilize weight in the face of variable intake. This observation resurrected the notion of 'luxoskonsumption', a hypoth­ esis first enunciated by Neumann in the early 20th century. He postulated the existence of physiological mechanisms that would permit excessive caloric intake to be dissipated as heat. The concept that changes in energy expenditure might result from changes in the rate of chemical reactions independent of muscular activity was proposed by Rubner ('chemical thermogenesis') and supported by the work of W. B. Cannon who suggested that adrenaline (epinephrine) was involved in the increase in heat production following cold exposure (Can­ non et ai, 1927). In recent years the role played by catecholamines in the regulation of thermogenesis, including 'Iuxoskonsumption', has been increasingly defined, and the potential role of the sympathoadrenal system in the maintenance of body weight and the development of obesity is under serious investigation in many laboratories throughout the world. This chapter will review the role played by catecholamines in the regulation of thermogenesis. It is intended to provide a framework for consideration of the possible involvement of the sympathoadrenal system in the pathogene­ sis of obesity, by setting out how we view the different components of ther­ mogenesis which make up total heat production.
Dexterous robotic hand grasping method for automotive parts

Kitting processes are fundamental enablers in flexible manufacturing environments derived from minomi principles. A typical kitting application will sort loose and unpacked parts without dunnage into a tray or “kit” and then place them near the point of assembly for easy reach by assembly workers. In order to prepare, sort and sequence the kits, it is necessary to have adaptable robots and automation able to pick-and-place a variety of parts at line production rate. This requires the assembling any of hundreds of kit types, each one having about 10 different parts within 60 seconds. These requirements are a fundamental challenge for kitting automation given that it requires several parts of different shapes, which are presented in either random or semi-structured fashion, to be grasped and placed into the kit. Highly flexible manufacturing (HFM) requires grasping previously unknown objects for which a computer 3D model may not be available. A methodology that integrates vision and flexible robotic grasping is proposed to address HFM herein. The proposed set of hand grasping shapes presented here is based on the capabilities and mechanical constraints of the robotic hand. Pre-grasp shapes for a Barrett Hand are studied and defined using finger spread and flexion. In addition, a simple and efficient vision algorithm is used to servo the robot and to select the pre-grasp shape in the pick-and-place task of 9 different vehicle door parts. Finally, experimental results evaluate the ability of the robotic hand to grasp both pliable and rigid parts.
Assessment and familial aggregation of psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease from the National Institute on Aging Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Family Study

Determining the genetic architecture of late onset Alzheimer's disease remains an important research objective. One approach to the identification of novel genetic variants contributing to the disease is the classification of biologically meaningful subgroups within the larger late-onset Alzheimer's disease phenotype. The occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease may identify one such group. We attempted to establish methods for the reliable assessment of psychotic symptoms in a large, geographically dispersed collection of families, multiply affected with late onset Alzheimer's disease, who were participants in the larger National Institute on Aging Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease Family Study; and to characterize the correlates and familial aggregation of psychosis within this cohort. We found that reliable assessments of psychotic symptoms during in-person or phone interviews were readily implemented. The presence of psychosis in late onset Alzheimer's disease was significantly associated with degree of cognitive impairment, and significantly, albeit modestly, correlated with the severity of other behavioural symptoms. Psychosis significantly aggregated within late onset Alzheimer's disease families suggesting that it may identify a genetically determined subgroup. Future studies should examine the linkage and association of psychosis with genetic variation within these families.
A comparison of intersegmental joint dynamics to isokinetic dynamometer measurements

Abstract This study quantified the errors associated with measurements obtained using an isokinetic dynamometer for knee evaluation at 60° and 180° s−1. Five normal subjects were tested. A triaxial electrogoniometer was used to measure the kinematics. A custom-designed load cell was used to measure the three orthogonal components of the reaction force applied by the isokinetic dynamometer to the leg. The inverse dynamics problem was solved to obtain the intersegmental dynamics at the knee joint. These data were compared to those obtained from the isokinetic dynamometer. The results indicate that the knee motion recorded by the isokinetic dynamometer was in error by 7–9° during flexion and 10–13° during extension. The isokinetic dynamometer recorded knee flexions which were less than actual during the flexion portion of the exercise and greater than actual during extension. The duration of constant velocity was limited based on the speed selected. The knee moment was in error by 5 Nm during flexion and 25–29 Nm during extension. The use of a gravity correction factor reduced the knee moment error during extension but increased it during flexion.
Drosophila Mushroom Body Kenyon Cells Generate Spontaneous Calcium Transients Mediated by PLTX-Sensitive Calcium Channels

Spontaneous calcium oscillations in mushroom bodies of late stage pupal and adult Drosophila brains have been implicated in memory consolidation during olfactory associative learning. This study explores the cellular mechanisms regulating calcium dynamics in Kenyon cells, principal neurons in mushroom bodies. Fura-2 imaging shows that Kenyon cells cultured from late stage Drosophila pupae generate spontaneous calcium transients in a cell autonomous fashion, at a frequency similar to calcium oscillations in vivo (10-20/h). The expression of calcium transients is up regulated during pupal development. Although the ability to generate transients is a property intrinsic to Kenyon cells, transients can be modulated by bath application of nicotine and GABA. Calcium transients are blocked, and baseline calcium levels reduced, by removal of external calcium, addition of cobalt, or addition of Plectreurys toxin (PLTX), an insect-specific calcium channel antagonist. Transients do not require calcium release from intracellular stores. Whole cell recordings reveal that the majority of voltage-gated calcium channels in Kenyon cells are PLTX-sensitive. Together these data show that influx of calcium through PLTX-sensitive voltage-gated calcium channels mediates spontaneous calcium transients and regulates basal calcium levels in cultured Kenyon cells. The data also suggest that these calcium transients represent cellular events underlying calcium oscillations in the intact mushroom bodies. However, spontaneous calcium transients are not unique to Kenyon cells as they are present in approximately 60% of all cultured central brain neurons. This suggests the calcium transients play a more general role in maturation or function of adult brain neurons.
Attachment Bonds Between Adult Daughters and Their Older Mothers Associations With Contemporary Caregiving

This study examined associations between attachment bonds and the care that daughters were providing to their community-dwelling mothers. Adult daughters (40 African American, 40 European American) completed assessments of adult attachment, instrumental and emotional caregiving, and caregiver burden. The author performed hierarchical linear regressions to examine the relationships between attachment dimensions (Security and Anxiety) and the provision of instrumental and emotional care. Both attachment dimensions were unrelated to the provision of instrumental care. In contrast, high scores on the Security dimension and low scores on the Anxiety dimension were associated with the provision of more emotional care to mothers. A final analysis revealed that high scores on the Security dimension were associated with less caregiver burden. These results suggest that practical care that daughters provide to their mothers may be independent of attachment patterns within the child-parent relationship, whereas affective, discretionary care may be promoted or hindered by attachment patterns. Moreover, the stress of caregiving may be mediated by a more secure attachment bond. The potential impact of adult attachment patterns has implications for both family intervention and public policy, given that more families are expected to participate in caregiving in coming decades.
A critical role for AID in the initiation of reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells

Mechanistic insights into the reprogramming of fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are limited, particularly for early acting molecular regulators. Here we use an acute loss of function approach to demonstrate that activation-induced deaminase (AID) activity is necessary for the initiation of reprogramming to iPSCs. While AID is well known for antibody diversification, it has also recently been shown to have a role in active DNA demethylation in reprogramming toward pluripotency and development. These findings suggested a potential role for AID in iPSC generation, yet, iPSC yield from AID-knockout mouse fibroblasts was similar to that of wild-type (WT) fibroblasts. We reasoned that an acute loss of AID function might reveal effects masked by compensatory mechanisms during development, as reported for other proteins. Accordingly, we induced an acute reduction (>50%) in AID levels using 4 different shRNAs and determined that reprogramming to iPSCs was significantly impaired by 79 ± 7%. The deaminase activity of AID was critical, as coexpression of WT but not a catalytic mutant AID rescued reprogramming. Notably, AID was required only during a 72-h time window at the onset of iPSC reprogramming. Our findings show a critical role for AID activity in the initiation of reprogramming to iPSCs.—Bhutani, N., Decker, M. N., Brady, J. J., Bussat, R. T., Burns, D. M., Corbel, S. Y., Blau, H. M. A critical role for AID in the initiation of reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells.
The Political Glass Ceiling: Gender, Strategy, and Incumbency in U.S. House Elections, 1978-1998

Abstract Why has the integration of women into elective office, particularly Congress, been so slow? We argue that incumbency and the general lack of competition in American elections serve as a “political glass ceiling,” having a dampening effect on the number of women running in both primary and general U.S. House elections. With data from House elections from 1978-1998, we find that although there have been general upward trends in the number of women running in primaries, winning primaries, and winning election to Congress, there is a distinct gender gap between the parties. The growth in the presence of women since 1988 is largely a Democratic phenomenon. In addition, women are strategic in their decisions regarding whether or not they will run; the likelihood of success influences the decision to become a candidate. Women are far more likely to run in districts with an open seat than they are in districts where they would face a safe incumbent. This implies that the number of women entering the Hous...
Presynaptic regulation of quantal size: K + /H + exchange stimulates vesicular glutamate transport

The amount of neurotransmitter stored in a single synaptic vesicle can determine the size of the postsynaptic response, but the factors that regulate vesicle filling are poorly understood. A proton electrochemical gradient (Δμ(H+)) generated by the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase drives the accumulation of classical transmitters into synaptic vesicles. The chemical component of Δμ(H+) (ΔpH) has received particular attention for its role in the vesicular transport of cationic transmitters as well as in protein sorting and degradation. Thus, considerable work has addressed the factors that promote ΔpH. However, synaptic vesicle uptake of the principal excitatory transmitter glutamate depends on the electrical component of Δμ(H+) (Δψ). We found that rat brain synaptic vesicles express monovalent cation/H(+) exchange activity that converts ΔpH into Δψ, and that this promotes synaptic vesicle filling with glutamate. Manipulating presynaptic K(+) at a glutamatergic synapse influenced quantal size, indicating that synaptic vesicle K(+)/H(+) exchange regulates glutamate release and synaptic transmission.
Comparison of Methods for Response Analysis of Central Nervous System Neoplasms

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether the conventionally utilized “gold standard” methodology of bidimensional product is reproducible for the purpose of ascertaining response to treatment in CNS neoplasms. Secondary objectives include testing of volumetric methods for response analysis and examining the variability due to tumor pathology, observer, and other factors. Twenty-five patients with brain metastases (evaluated by serial CT) and 16 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (evaluated by serial MRI) were the subjects of this study. The images were reviewed independently by 5 observers and analyzed subjectively, bidimensionally, tridimensionally, and volumetrically, using an NIH-developed software tool, NIH Image. Volume proved to be the most precise measurement technique. Interobserver reproducibility for volume measurements was superior to that of all other methods tested, with the range of correlation coefficients being: bidimensional product = .88–.98, area = .94–.99, tridimensional product = .75–.99, and volume = .96–1.00. Misclassification in tumor response rates was lowest for volume measurements (mean = .23, range = .20–.27) and highest for bidimensional product (mean = .39, range = .34–.44). Volume derived from CT or MRI is a more precise measure of tumor size, yielding consistently lower misclassification rates than traditional bidimensional product or cross-sectional area. This superiority holds irrespective of pathology, tumor size, or observer.