cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global patterns in price elasticities of sugar-sweetened beverage intake and potential effectiveness of tax policy: a cross-sectional study of 164 countries by sex, age and global-income decile.

Objective To quantify global relationships between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and prices and examine the potential effectiveness of tax policy. Design SSB intake data by country, age and sex from the Global Dietary Database were combined with gross domestic product and price data from the World Bank. Intake responsiveness to income and prices was estimated accounting for national income, age and sex differences. Setting 164 countries. Population Full adult population in each country. Main outcome measures A consumer demand modelling framework was used to estimate the relationship between SSB intake and prices and derive own-price elasticities (measures of percentage changes in intake from a 1% price change) globally by age and sex. We simulated how a 20% tax would impact SSB intake globally. Tax policy outcomes were examined across countries by global income decile for representative age and sex subgroups. Results Own-price responsiveness was highest in lowest income countries, ranging from −0.70 (p Conclusions These findings estimate the global price-responsiveness of SSB intake by age and sex, informing ongoing policy discussions on potential effects of taxes.
Income and Wealth Effects on Consumer Packaged Goods Purchases

When economic cycles cause changes in household income and wealth, consumers change their budget allocations across store formats, product categories, and brands. Using Nielsen Homescan data for the years 2004 to 2014, we investigate the impact of income and wealth changes on households' budget allocations to (i) alternative store formats; (ii) food and non-food categories; and (iii) private labels and national brands. Since budgets can be reallocated across formats, categories and brands simultaneously, we measure the causal effects on the "joint'' (e.g., grocery store - food - national brand budget shares) budget allocations of households. This allows us to decompose income and wealth effects on the "marginal'' (e.g., grocery store) shares, which previous literature has focused on, into those on its joint components (e.g., grocery - food - national brand, grocery - food - private label, etc.). This joint analysis reveals situations in which managers of a specific brand-type in a particular store format may be misled by relying on the marginal (instead of joint) effects of income and wealth changes. For example, the wealth effect on the joint warehouse club-food-private label share is positive whereas the wealth effect on private labels overall, is negative.
A novel proteasome assembly intermediate bypasses the need to form α-rings first

Abstract Proteasomes provide the main route of intracellular protein degradation. They consist of a central protease, termed the 20S proteasome, or core particle (CP), that partners with one or more regulatory complexes. The quaternary structure of the CP is conserved across all domains of life and is comprised of four coaxially stacked heptameric rings formed by structurally related α and β subunits. In eukaryotes, biogenesis of the CP is generally assumed to involve the obligate formation of α-rings. These serve as templates upon which β subunits assemble to form half-proteasomes which dimerize to give rise to CP. Here, we demonstrate the in vivo existence of an assembly-competent intermediate containing an incomplete set of both α and β subunits. The novel intermediate exhibits a precursor-product relationship with the well characterized CP assembly intermediate, the 13S. This is the first evidence that eukaryotic CP, like its archaeal and bacterial counterparts, can assemble in an α-ring independent manner.
DECAYS $pi$$sup 0$ $Yields$ 2$gamma$, eta $Yields$ 2$gamma$ AND SUM RULES FOR NUCLEON COMPTON SCATTERING.

Motivated by the success of the Goldberger---Treiman calculation of charged-pion decay and the assumption of pion-pole dominance of the divergence of the axial current subsequently introduced, we study the decays of the neutral pion and eta in the same way. Examining Compton scattering of real photons from the nucleons presents a fruitful analogy to the nuclear $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay process. Identifying the dominant nucleon and meson-pole-term contributions to Compton scattering and utilizing the content of the exact low-energy theorem on Compton scattering, a no-subtraction hypothesis, supported by the Regge-pole phenomenology, then enables us to establish exact sum rules for the lifetimes ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ and also the Drell---Hearn sum rules for $\ensuremath{\kappa}_{p}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\kappa}_{n}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}$. We also consider in detail the relation of our sum rule to the Goldberger---Treiman calculation of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ decay and forward-Compton-scattering sum rules for systems of spin=1. Neglecting continuum contributions, which are small, we find from our sum rules $\ensuremath{\kappa}_{p}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}=\ensuremath{\kappa}_{n}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}$ and $\ensuremath{\tau}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}m_{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{}{}_{}{}^{3}\ensuremath{\kappa}_{p}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}}{4{g}_{\ensuremath{\pi}{N}^{2}}{M}_{{N}^{2}}}\ensuremath{\simeq}3.1$ eV or ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}}\ensuremath{\simeq}2.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ sec in approximate agreement with the experimental value ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}}=(1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ sec. Better photopion-production data for the nonresonant multipoles would enable us to accurately estimate the continuum contributions. Including the dominant contributions to the photopion production continuum, we find that the Drell-Hearn sum rule for $\ensuremath{\kappa}_{p}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}+\ensuremath{\kappa}_{n}^{}{}_{}{}^{2}$ is well satisfied. We can estimate the $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}$ lifetime but our result depends on a knowledge of the eta-nucleon coupling and on nonresonant background contributions to the photopion multipoles. Once better photopion production data for the nonresonant multipoles ${E}_{l\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, ${M}_{l\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, $ll~2$ for energies 1 BeV become available, these sum rules can offer reliable theoretical estimates for the decays ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}$, $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}$.
Intralingual Administration of AAVrh10-miRSOD1 Improves Respiratory But Not Swallowing Function in a Superoxide Dismutase-1 Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by degeneration of motor neurons and muscles, and death is usually a result of impaired respiratory function due to loss of moto...
Molecular Biology of Larval Osmoregulation

Halophilic organisms have evolved several diverse strategies in solving problems of osmotic stress. For example, animal and plant halophiles find life can be sustained in large measure by controlling the intracellular osmotic pressure with small molecules. These organisms are referred to as osmoconformers. Somero and colleagues have cogently argued that halophilic osmoconformers utilize a family of organic solutes, termed osmolytes, to passively regulate the intracellular osmotic pressures[1]. This osmotic system is believed to be a more flexible and adaptive mechanism with simpler genetic controls than those proposed for the more “primitive” osmoregulators that are dependent upon genetic control of the mechanics of cell volume[2]. Similarly, halophilic microbes employ small ions as a simple osmolytes to passively control water fluxes across the bacterial cell wall. These bacteria utilize membrane mechanisms that pump into the cell high concentrations of K+ ions. Again, it can be argued that the control of the osmotic system requires a simpler genetic mechanism and, together with the genetic selection for cytosolic proteins having a higher proportion of acidic amino acids, provides for vital subcellular organelles (ribosomes) and enzyme complexes to be functional at salt concentrations in excess of 1 molar. It is obvious that genetic evolution through natural selection has taken a long period of time for this osmotic system to ascertain which of the many changes in DNA sequences needed to code for these proteins was best in coping with widely fluctuating environmental salinites.
A Multiplex Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Using Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast System for Simultaneous Identification of Three Campylobacter Species with Potential Applications to Food Analysis

Consumption of Campylobacter-contaminated food is one of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea. A previously developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) utilizing the SmartCycler...
Effect of Red-to-Near Infrared Light and a Nitric Oxide Donor on the Oxygen Consumption of Isolated Cytochrome c Oxidase.

Objective: To study the effects of 670 and 830 nm irradiation on oxygen consumption by cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) in a Clark electrode type reaction chamber. To explore the effect of irradiation on...
Pumping supplies alter the microbiome of pumped human milk: An in-home, randomized, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND The human milk microbiome may contribute to the benefits of breastfeeding by providing bacteria to the infant gastrointestinal tract. Many women pump their milk, but the effect of pumping on the milk microbiome is unknown. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to determine the effects of pumping supplies on the pumped human milk microbiome. METHODS This was an in-home, randomized, crossover trial of 2 collection methods. Women (n = 52) pumped twice within 3.5 h, once with their own breast pumps and milk collection supplies (OWN SUPP) and once with a hospital-grade pump and sterile collection supplies (STER SUPP). Pumping order was randomized. The milk microbiome was characterized by aerobic culturing and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. RESULTS Milk collected with OWN SUPP yielded more total aerobic and gram-negative bacteria than milk collected with STER SUPP, reflecting a 6.6 (adjusted OR; 95% CI: 1.7, 25; P = 0.006) higher odds of containing >104 total aerobic CFU/mL and 19 (adjusted OR; 95% CI: 4.1, 88; P < 0.0001) higher odds of yielding culturable gram-negative bacteria. Milk collected with OWN SUPP yielded more Proteobacterias , including higher relative abundances of Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas, compared to milk collected with STER SUPP. Results were consistent across pumping-order groups. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that pumping supplies altered the milk microbiome. On average, milk collected with OWN SUPP resulted in elevated levels of culturable total and gram-negative bacteria and proteobacterial DNA compared to milk collected with STER SUPP. More research is needed to assess implications for infant health.
Comparison of ion irradiation effects in PM-HIP and forged alloy 625

Abstract The nuclear industry has growing interest in replacing forgings with structural components fabricated by powder metallurgy with hot isostatic pressing (PM-HIP), owing to their chemical homogeneity, uniform grain structure, and near-net shape production. This study compares the ion irradiation response of PM-HIP and forged Alloy 625, over 50 and 100 dpa, 400 °C and 500 °C. Microstructure is characterized using down-zone bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (DZBFSTEM), and hardening is characterized using nanoindentation. PM-HIP Alloy 625 has a lower initial dislocation line density, resulting in a more rapid onset of dislocation loop growth and unfaulting than the forged material. But the total defect population (i.e. loop line length plus dislocation density) is insensitive to fabrication method. This finding shows promise for the eventual qualification of PM-HIP alloys for nuclear applications.
Data structures with unpredictable timing

A range of attacks on network components, such as algorithmic denial-of-service attacks and cryptanalysis via timing attacks, are enabled by data structures for which an adversary can predict the durations of operations that he will induce on the data structure. In this paper we introduce the problem of designing data structures that confound an adversary attempting to predict the timing of future operations he induces, even if he has adaptive and exclusive access to the data structure and the timings of past operations. We also design a data structure for implementing a set (supporting membership query, insertion, and deletion) that exhibits timing unpredictability and that retains its efficiency despite adversarial attacks. To demonstrate these advantages, we develop a framework by which an adversary tracks a probability distribution on the data structure's state based on the timings it emitted, and infers invocations to meet his attack goals.
Frequency-wavenumber spectral estimation of non-planar random fields

Spectral estimation for a class of smooth, broad spectra generated by the Turbulent Boundary Layer is discussed in terms of spectral fidelity and sensitivity to statistical error. When the number of sensors is limited, which is often the case in array problems, MLM-based estimators exhibit better performance than all-pole models. These performance differences underscore the fact that for certain classes of spectra high-resolution and high-fidelity are competing criteria.
Ag Multilayer island growth on Br-Si(0 0 1)-(2 × 1) and Ag-induced nano-pitting

Abstract Low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy was used to study the formation of single crystal nanostructures of Ag on Br-terminated Si(0 0 1)-(2 × 1) and their interactions with the surface at elevated temperature. Multilayer nanostructures were formed at 640 K. They were facetted, and they exhibited highly-ordered surfaces that were imaged with atomic resolution to identify the 〈0 1 1〉 and 〈1 1 2〉 directions on Ag(1 1 1)-(1 × 1). Heating above 700 K induced reactions involving Ag and Br and the desorption of AgBr. At these temperatures, contact between the Ag islands and Si(0 0 1) also led to Si dissolution in the islands, and three dimensional pits bounded by {1 1 3} facets were produced.
CENTRAL NEUROGENIC NEUROPROTECTION: PROTECTION OF BRAIN FROM FOCAL ISCHEMIA BY CEREBELLAR STIMULATION

Electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) elevates regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) independently of cerebral metabolism (rCGU) throughout brain. One hour of FN stimulation also reduces, by up to 50%, the volume of the focal ischemic infarction produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rat. Protected areas correspond to the ischemic penumbra. Neuroprotection, while reversible, persists for weeks after 1h of stimulation. It cannot be attributed to increasing rCBF and/or reducing rCGU to improve matching of flow and metabolism. Conditional stimulation of FN initiates long-lived inhibition of expression of peri-infarction depolarizing waves, possibly by altering potassium-channel function and suppresses induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and ICAM in cerebral microvessels. The brain contains intrinsic networks which may protect the brain from ischemic injury, possibly by producing widespread and longterm suppression of electrical excitability and/or and expression of proinflammatory molecules.
DR.lyp/lyp bone marrow maintains lymphopenia and promotes diabetes in lyp/lyp but not in +/+ recipient DR.lyp BB rats

Lymphopenia is due to a frameshift mutation in Gimap5 on rat chromosome 4 and is linked to type 1 diabetes in the diabetes prone (DP) BB rat. The hypothesis that bone marrow derived cells confer the lymphopenia phenotype was tested by reciprocal bone marrow transplantation in 40-day-old lethally irradiated diabetes resistant (DR) congenic DR.lyp/lyp (lymphopenia and diabetes) and DR.+/+ (no lymphopenia and no diabetes) rats. In two independent series of transplants, all DR.lyp/lyp rats (n = 5 and 4) receiving DR.lyp/lyp bone marrow retained lymphopenia and developed insulitis (5/5 and 4/4) as well as diabetes in some (2/5 and 3/4). Both DR.+/+ and DR.lyp/lyp rats receiving DR.+/+ bone marrow cells as well as DR.+/+ rats receiving DR.lyp/lyp bone marrow cells showed no lymphopenia or diabetes. In accordance with earlier studies in non-congenic BB rats, the DR.+/+ rats receiving DR.lyp/lyp bone marrow cells recapitulated an intermediary phenotype rather than the +/+ or lyp/lyp phenotypes. Our data demonstrate that BBDP rat lymphopenia and diabetes are transferred by bone marrow transplantation to syngeneic DR.lyp/lyp but not DR.+/+ recipients. The intermediary recapitulation of DR.lyp/lyp T cells in recipient DR.±/± rats suggests that radiation resistant ±/± T cells, the Gimap5 mutation in bone marrow cells, or both may not support the development of lymphopenia. (Less)
Developing an intranet: tool selection and management issues

Intranet adopts the same information technology that the Internet utilizes for network processing with the exception of system boundaries. Moving corporate systems onto an intranet environment will increase the data traffic within corporate network. In order to smooth out data traffic in the network, adopting a high‐quality management process to the intranet is needed. This article discusses the costs and benefits of adopting the intranet, tool availability and selection criteria, and some management issues for developing an intranet.
A needle in a hay stack: finding authenticity in local provenance at the John Hay Center, Salem, Indiana

Authenticity within heritage tourism continues to be a salient issue, especially in the context of small-scale rural sites that seek to preserve and narrate local history. Grounded in the literature on cultural tourism and authenticity, this paper presents a qualitative case study of the Pioneer Village at the John Hay Center in Salem, Indiana, based upon participant observation, informal interviews and content analysis. Attention is paid to the interplay between national myths – i.e. the opening of the frontier and Manifest Destiny – and the particulars of the local history of early nineteenth-century Salem with an emphasis on the preservation and presentation of material culture. The framing of the local against the national results in a village that conforms to general ideas about what a pioneer village should look like, including spurious building types that lend an air of inauthenticity to the site. However, the material culture that is on display is deemed authentic by the designers of the site and ...
Application of Salzer's inverse laplace transform algorithm

Salzer has presented two formulas for obtaining inverse Laplace transforms numerically. These techniques were evaluated by application to several problems. A CDC T600 computer was used in single or double precision complex or strictly real arithmetic. (RWR)
Interpretation of K X-ray emission spectra and chemical bonding in oxides of Mg, Al and Si using quantitative molecular orbital theory.

Abstract Quantitative molecular orbital calculations are reported for Mg, Al and Si in tetrahedral and octahedral coordination with oxygen. These calculations are employed to assign and interpret the ME α , ME β and OK α X-ray emission spectra of the corresponding oxides. The interpretation of the MK β spectrum reproduces the observed trends in main peak and satellite energies with variation of metal, ligand and geometry. The splitting of the main K β peak, observed in many oxides, is found to be a result of interaction between adjacent metal atoms. The calculations also reproduce the observed trends in OK α spectra. The electronic structures of the various oxides are discussed briefly.
Translumbar placement of paired hemodialysis catheters (Tesio Catheters) and follow-up in 10 patients

For lack of other suitable access, 10 consecutive patients received paired hemodialysis catheters for long-term hemodialysis using a translumbar approach to the inferior vena cava (IVC). All attempts were successful. Five paired catheters were placed using the single-puncture technique, and five using the dual-puncture technique. Catheters were in place for a total of 2252 catheter days. The average duration of catheter placement was 250 days (range 30-580 days). All catheters were functioning up to the time the study was completed or the patient died. The most common complication was partial dislodgment of the catheter in 3 of 23 catheters (13%), all occurring in obese patients. One episode of retroperitoneal hemorrhage was noted in a patient having the single-access technique. There were no episodes of infection or IVC thrombosis.
Indications for simultaneous mobilization of the maxilla and mandible for the correction of dentofacial deformities

As improvements in diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical techniques have evolved it has become increasingly more common to consider simultaneous mobilization of the maxilla and mandible in order to achieve optimal correction of selected dentofacial deformities. In the experiences of the authors, there are patients with specific deformities of the Class III, Class II, Class I, and asymmetry types who can benefit from simultaneous mobilization of both jaws. It is the purpose of this article, the first in a series of three, to detail those specific conditions which warrant consideration for simultaneous mobilization of the maxilla and mandible. In the second article the details of treatment planning for simultaneous mobilization of the maxilla and the mandible will be presented, and in the third article the results of treatment in 100 consecutive cases will be evaluated.
Testis-specific murine centrin, Cetn1: genomic characterization and evidence for retroposition of a gene encoding a centrosome protein.

Centrin is a centrosome component in species from yeast to humans. Here, the mouse centrin 1 gene (Cetn1) is analyzed with respect to its genomic structure, chromosome localization, tissue-specific expression, and phylogenetic relationship to the other mouse centrin genes and their human orthologs. Cetn1 is an intronless gene located on chromosome 18A2 that encodes a 172-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 19,696 Da (pI 4.61) and all of the structural features common to centrin. Cetn1 possesses the sequence features of an expressed retroposon: the gene lacks introns, the open reading frame is not interrupted by stop codons, and the coding region is flanked by a pair of direct repeats. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis demonstrate that Cetn1 expression is limited exclusively to the testis in adult male mice. Cetn1 expression is first seen in the neonatal testis at 14 days postpartum, reaching adult levels by day 17. These observations provide new insight into the regulation, function, and evolutionary history of centrin in higher eukaryotes.
The Calcium-Independent Receptor of α-Latrotoxin Is Not a Neurexin

α-Latrotoxin (α-LTx), a vertebrate neurotoxin isolated from Black Widow Spider venom, causes massive spontaneous neurotransmitter release. The molecular mechanism(s) by which the toxin exerts its effect is largely unknown. Here we report identification and purification of a novel membrane receptor with high affinity for α-LTx. Unlike neurexin Ia, a previously described high affinity α-LTx receptor, this novel protein binds α-LTx independently of Ca2+presence and therefore may be a mediator of the calcium-independent stimulation of neurotransmitter release by α-latrotoxin. The major protein component of calcium-independent α-LTx receptors is a novel Mr 120,000 protein which does not belong to the neurexin family. Among several tissues tested, the Mr 120,000 protein was found only in brain.
Video compression using adaptive wavelet packet and DPCM

This paper presents a video compression algorithm based on the adaptive wavelet packet decomposition and DPCM methods, in which, motion compensation is not used explicitly, but the effects of motion are accounted for through the low-high temporal subbanding and the DPCM procedure. The coefficients of high temporal subbands, initial lowpass subbands and the difference of low subbands from the DPCM loop are decomposed by adaptive wavelet packets based on a rate-distortion criterion, such that the subbands of the wavelet packets are efficiently quantized by a hybrid Scalar/Pyramidal Lattice Vector quantizer. We implement two versions of the proposed coding scheme based on a rate constraint and a quality (distortion) constraint. When the rate is constrained, all frames in a “group” are processed as a unit; our objective then is to minimize the overall distortion under the rate constraint specified for that group of frames. When quality constraint is imposed, pairs of frames are sequentially encoded; our goal in this case is to ensure that the distortion in each pair of frames remains below a prespecified value and to achieve this with a minimum bit rate used to represent that pair of frames. The results of the proposed algorithm compare favorably with those of 3D subband coding and traditional motion compensated video coding techniques. Although the encoding computational complexity of this scheme is higher than that of the existing 3D subband method, it is suitable for parallel implementation.
Diversity and abundance of the bacterial community of the red Macroalga Porphyra umbilicalis: did bacterial farmers produce macroalgae?

Macroalgae harbor microbial communities whose bacterial biodiversity remains largely uncharacterized. The goals of this study were 1) to examine the composition of the bacterial community associated with Porphyra umbilicalis Kutzing from Schoodic Point, ME, 2) determine whether there are seasonal trends in species diversity but a core group of bacteria that are always present, and 3) to determine how the microbial community associated with a laboratory strain (P.um.1) established in the presence of antibiotics has changed. P. umbilicalis blades (n = 5, fall 2010; n = 5, winter 2011; n = 2, clonal P.um.1) were analyzed by pyrosequencing over two variable regions of the 16 S rDNA (V5–V6 and V8; 147,880 total reads). The bacterial taxa present were classified at an 80% confidence threshold into eight phyla (Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus, Firmicutes, and the candidate division TM7). The Bacteroidetes comprised the majority of bacterial sequences on both field and lab blades, but the Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria) were also abundant. Sphingobacteria (Bacteroidetes) and Flavobacteria (Bacteroidetes) had inverse abundances on natural versus P.um.1 blades. Bacterial communities were richer and more diverse on blades sampled in fall compared to winter. Significant differences were observed between microbial communities among all three groups of blades examined. Only two OTUs were found on all 12 blades, and only one of these, belonging to the Saprospiraceae (Bacteroidetes), was abundant. Lewinella (as 66 OTUs) was found on all field blades and was the most abundant genus. Bacteria from the Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes that are known to digest the galactan sulfates of red algal cell walls were well-represented. Some of these taxa likely provide essential morphogenetic and beneficial nutritive factors to P. umbilicalis and may have had unexpected effects upon evolution of macroalgal form as well as function.
Changing values and lifestyles

Abstract It has been apparent for several years that changes in people's values in the United States, have been occurring more frequently and having greater impact than has previously been experienced. The most significant impacts appear to be coming from people whose values and lifestyles are considerably less materialistic than traditional American values. Work at SRI, spanning more than a decade, had identified a new and rapidly growing group of people, the ‘inner directeds’; while more traditional groups—‘outer directeds’ and ‘money restricted’—have been declining as percentages of the population. These three major groups and their subdivisions are described in the article and particular emphasis is given to the inner directed group since it is likely to have the greatest impact on business, the market and government.
Revisiting the California Southeast Asian Mental Health Needs Assessment Data: An Examination of Refugee Ethnic and Gender Differences

This study examined the ethnic and gender differences in the levels and predictors of distress among Vietnamese (N = 867), Cambodian (N = 590) and Laotian (N = 723) refugees. The findings showed that for all 3 groups, refugee women reported a significantly higher level of psychological distress than their male counterparts. Although there were similarities in the predictors of distress among refugee women and men, the results also found significant gender differences within and between the different cultural groups. Implications for counseling practice and research are discussed in light of the findings.
Facial numbness in a man with inguinal and retroperitoneal masses

Background A 37-year-old Brazilian man was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation of left-sided facial numbness, left-sided ataxia, dizziness, and vertigo. Seven weeks prior to admission, he reported numbness of the left oral cavity and tongue after a dental procedure. Three weeks prior to presentation, he developed left-sided incoordination with dizziness and vertigo. One week later, he noticed difficulty using a box cutter at work and presented to the emergency department for evaluation. A CT scan without contrast revealed no abnormalities and he was discharged home. Three days prior to admission, the patient developed diplopia. Cranial MRI revealed a 1.6 cm irregular enhancing mass in the left middle cerebellar peduncle. Neurologic examination was significant for diminished sensation over the left face to pinprick, left-sided dysmetria, and mild lateral instability of the trunk while walking. Investigations MRI, lumbar puncture, CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, needle biopsy of the lymph node, and paraneoplastic antibodies. Diagnosis Possible paraneoplastic demyelination. Management Orchiectomy, adjuvant radiation, and corticosteroids.
Response of central pain syndromes to intravenous lidocaine

Abstract In this study, 8 patients with central pain syndromes, 6 with hemispheric lesions, and 2 with spinal cord lesions were treated with a 1 mg/kg dose of intravenous lidocaine. Patients first received the same volume of normal saline, in single-blind fashion, to monitor placebo effects. Of the 8 patients, 7 responded to lidocaine, and only 1 responded to normal saline. Responses ranged from partial to complete. All components of central pain, including constant pain, paroxysms of pain, and evoked pain, responded to lidocaine. In addition, 3 patients had pain relief that lasted for 8–20 wk. These findings, which are in agreement with two previous open-label studies, suggest that a single dose of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, can provide lasting pain relief for patients with central pain syndromes. This analgesic action may be central, and possibly supraspinal, at least in patients with hemispheric lesions.
Effect of Non-Fat Chocolate Pudding as a Fat Replacement in Brownies

Abstract This study investigated the effect of non-fat chocolate pudding as a fat replacement in brownies. Three fat variations were tested: a control product (C) prepared with butter and whole eggs; a reduced-fat sample (RF) containing non-fat chocolate pudding and whole eggs; and a low-fat version (LF) consisting of non-fat chocolate pudding and egg whites. The percent of calories from fat in C, RF, and LF were 72%, 39%, and 33%, respectively. Twenty university students served as taste panel judges. Chewiness, flavor intensity, and overall preference were assessed through descriptive testing. C was less chewy and more flavorful than both RF and LF; no differences were detected between RF and LF (p
Network layer performance of a satellite network with dynamic link-layer resource allocation†

Future packet switched military satellite communication networks are being designed with dynamic resource allocation on the up- and down-links in order to efficiently utilize the limited Radio Frequency (RF) resources. The resource allocation algorithms must be designed to achieve good system efficiency and user performance in addition to optimizing link-layer efficiency. An OPNET simulation environment is used to model and evaluate system performance for a satellite network with dynamically provisioned up- and down-links under dynamic traffic and channel variations. Link-layer resource allocation algorithms are developed and performance is evaluated in terms of application layer throughput, loss, delay, and jitter as well as system resource utilization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New ditopic receptors for alkylammonium ion complexation

New receptor molecules have been synthesized in which α,α′-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-diisopropylbenzene is linked to 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6, 1,10-diaza-21-crown-7 or 1,13-diaza-24-crown-8 units by ethylene or 1,4-butylene bridges. Binding abilities of the new receptors and the model compoundN,N-didecyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 toward alkali metal cations and alkylammonium ions were assessed by picrate extraction. Spectral evidence for inclusion of alkylammonium ions within the receptor cavity was obtained by1H NMR spectroscopy. From a1H NMR titration experiment conducted in CDCL3−CD3OD (9∶1), a relatively strong inclusion complex (K a ∼ 900M−1) of the receptor having a 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 subunit and ethylene spacers with propylammonium picrate was observed.
Regulation of auxin transport by aminopeptidases and endogenous flavonoids.

The 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA)-binding protein is a putative negative regulator of polar auxin transport that has been shown to block auxin efflux from both whole plant tissues and microsomal membrane vesicles. We previously showed that NPA is hydrolyzed by plasma-membrane amidohydrolases that co-localize with tyrosine, proline, and tryptophan-specific aminopeptidases (APs) in the cotyledonary node, hypocotyl-root transition zone and root distal elongation zone of Arabidopsisthaliana (L.) Heynh. seedlings. Moreover, amino acyl-β-naphthylamide (aa-NA) conjugates resembling NPA in structure have NPA-like inhibitory activity on growth, suggesting a possible role of APs in NPA action. Here we report that the same aa-NA conjugates and the AP inhibitor bestatin also block auxin efflux from seedling tissue. Bestatin and, to a lesser extent, some aa-NA conjugates were more effective inhibitors of low-affinity specific [3H]NPA-binding than were the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol but had no effect on high-affinity binding. Since the APs are inhibited by flavonoids, we compared the localization of endogenous flavonoids and APs in seedling tissue. A correlation between AP and flavonoid localization was found in 5- to 6-d-old seedlings. Evidence that these flavonoids regulate auxin accumulation in vivo was obtained using the flavonoid-deficient mutant, tt4. In whole-seedling [14C]indole-3-acetic acid transport studies, the pattern of auxin distribution in the tt4 mutant was shown to be altered. The defect appeared to be in auxin accumulation, as a considerable amount of auxin escaped from the roots. Treatment of the tt4 mutant with the missing intermediate naringenin restored normal auxin distribution and accumulation by the root. These results implicate APs and endogenous flavonoids in the regulation of auxin efflux.
Theoretical investigation of quantum-dot avalanche photodiodes for mid-infrared applications

A novel midinfrared sensor, called the quantum-dot avalanche photodiode (QDAP), is proposed which is expected to have improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the presence of Johnson noise over its quantum-dot (QD) counterpart. In the QDAP, an intersubband QD detector is coupled with a thin, low-noise GaAs avalanche layer through a tunnel barrier. The avalanche layer provides the necessary photocurrent gain required to overcome Johnson noise and nearly achieve the dark-current-limited SNR of the QD detector. In the proposed three-terminal device, the applied biases of the QD-detector and the avalanche-photodiode sections of the QDAP are controlled separately. This feature permits the control of the QDs responsivity and dark current independently of the operating avalanche gain, thereby allowing the optimization of the avalanche multiplication factor to maximize the photocurrent's SNR. Notably, a heterojunction potential-barrier layer can also be utilized to further improve the SNR. For example, when the standard deviation of the Johnson noise is four times greater than the dark current, calculations show that the SNR enhancement offered by an avalanche multiplication factor of 5 results in relaxing the cooling requirement from 20 to 80 K.
Medical nutrition therapy for patients with osteoporosis.

Abstract Osteoporosis is a disease of bone fragility that afflicts more than 25 million Americans and costs the economy of the United States approximately $13.8 billion per year. In addition to direct economic costs, osteoporosis frequently costs patients their independence and a decrease in quality of life. Patients with osteoporosis, particularly those with hip fractures, are often older, malnourished persons in need of nutrition assessment and intervention. Such intervention in persons with hip fractures has been shown to be effective in reducing medical costs by decreasing hospital stays and morbidity. We review here a working practice of care at our osteoporosis research center for the medical nutrition therapy of patients with osteoporosis. Medical nutrition therapy includes an evaluation of the patient's health history, social status, and nutrient intake. On the basis of the assessment, a nutrition care plan can be developed and implemented with the goals of improving clinical outcomes and the quality of life for patients and saving health care dollars. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997:97:414–417 .
Effects of Relaxin on Arterial Dilation, Remodeling, and Mechanical Properties

Administering relaxin to conscious rats and humans elicits systemic and renal vasodilation. The molecular mechanisms vary according to the duration of relaxin exposure—so-called “rapid” (within minutes) or “sustained” (hours to days) vasodilatory responses—both being endothelium-dependent. Rapid responses are mediated by Gαi/o protein coupling to phosphoinositol-3 kinase/Akt (protein kinase B)–dependent phosphorylation and activation of nitric oxide synthase. Sustained responses are mediated by vascular endothelial and placental growth factors, as well as increases in arterial gelatinase activity. Thus, after hours or days of relaxin treatment, respectively, arterial MMP-9 or MMP-2 hydrolyze “big” endothelin (ET) at a gly-leu bond to form ET1-32, which in turn activates the endothelial ETB receptor/nitric oxide vasodilatory pathway. Administration of relaxin to conscious rats also increases global systemic arterial compliance and passive compliance of select isolated blood vessels such as small renal arteries (SRA). The increase in SRA passive compliance is mediated by both geometric remodeling (outward) and compositional remodeling (decreased collagen). Relaxin-induced geometric remodeling has also been observed in brain parenchymal arteries, and this remodeling appears to be via the activation of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ. Given the vasodilatory and arterial remodeling properties of relaxin, the hormone may have therapeutic potential in the settings of abnormal pregnancies, heart failure, and pathologies associated with stiffening of arteries.
Fabrication and nonlinear optical properties of mixed and layered colloidal particles

Mixed metal and metal-coated microparticles have been fabricated and their nonlinear optical properties examined. Degenerate four-wave mixing experiments of the various particles have not shown any enhancement in the phase conjugate signal except for certain thinly coated gold microparticles. These particles had an enhancement up to a factor of ten but their phase conjugate signal was found to be dependent on four photons instead of the usual three. All of the other microparticles showed a normal three photon dependent phase conjugate signal.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Rediscovering city differences in racial occupational inequality.

This paper investigates the question of whether city differences in racial occupational inequality are of sufficient magnitude to warrant sustained empirical and theoretical analysis. Using both direct measures of racial occupational inequality and log-linear techniques, we find ample evidence to support the conclusion that city differences in racial occupational inequality are pronounced and merit investigation by social scientists. Thus, we reaffirm the longstanding research tradition investigating city differences in racial occupational inequality.
LigAmp for sensitive detection of single-nucleotide differences

We developed the LigAmp assay for sensitive detection and accurate quantification of viruses and cells with single-base mutations. In LigAmp, two oligonucleotides are hybridized adjacently to a DNA template. One oligonucleotide matches the target sequence and contains a probe sequence. If the target sequence is present, the oligonucleotides are ligated together and detected using real-time PCR. LigAmp detected KRAS2 mutant DNA at 0.01% in mixtures of different cell lines. KRAS2 mutations were also detected in pancreatic duct juice from patients with pancreatic cancer. LigAmp detected the K103N HIV-1 drug resistance mutation at 0.01% in plasmid mixtures and at approximately 0.1% in DNA amplified from plasma HIV-1. Detection in both systems is linear over a broad dynamic range. Preliminary evidence indicates that reactions can be multiplexed. This assay may find applications in the diagnosis of genetic disorders and the management of patients with cancer and infectious diseases.
A CASE STUDY CONCERNING THE EFFECTS OF CONTROLLER RESPONSE AND TURNING MOVEMENTS ON APPLICATION RATE UNIFORMITY WITH A SELF―PROPELLED SPRAYER

The use of precision agriculture technologies such as automatic boom section control allows producers to reduce off-target application when applying herbicides. While automatic boom section control provides benefits, pressure differences across the spray boom resulting from boom section actuation may lead to off-rate application errors. Off-rate errors may also result from spray rate controller compensation for ground speed changes or velocity variation across the spray boom during turning movements. This project focused on characterizing application rate variation for three fields located in central Kentucky. GPS coordinates, boom control status, and nozzle pressure data (at 15 nozzle locations) were recorded as the sprayer traversed the study fields. Control section coverage areas and nozzle flow rates (calculated from the nozzle pressure with manufacturer calibration data) were used to estimate application rates. Results indicated the majority of each field received application rates at or below the target rate, as only 25% to 36% of the area in the study fields received application rates within the target rate ±10%. Spray rate controller lag time appeared to contribute to lower application rates as the sprayer accelerated and higher application rates as the sprayer decelerated as the controller attempted to compensate for changes in sprayer velocity. In addition, as boom control sections were turned off, pressure increases in the remaining sections resulted in higher application rates. Conversely, as boom sections were turned on, spray rate controller lag time may have contributed to lower application rates. Estimated application rate maps were also generated from the data to allow for a visual summary of the potential errors.
Radical Caring in an Ethnic Shelter South Asian American Women Workers at Apna Ghar, Chicago

The author examines South Asian American women caregivers in two domestic violence organizations, namely Apna Ghar, the Chicago shelter for battered immigrant women, and Saheli, a support group for abuse survivors in Austin, Texas. Through informal interviews with Apna Ghar workers and Saheli volunteers and participant observation at Apna Ghar, she outlines the concept of “radical caring.” Radical caring emerges at the conjunction of individual and organizational motivations. However, radical caring is inherently contradictory; first, the caregivers’ traditional gender identities are used to alter the very same gender ideologies in their racialized communities. Second, workers attempt to preserve the dignity of care receivers even as they engage in tasks that undermine their self-respect. Third, caseworkers exercise authority so that residents’ autonomy may be enhanced. The author argues that although organizations such as Apna Ghar hold the potential for social change, professionalization of shelter work...
Human exposure to volatile organic compounds: a comparison of organic vapor monitoring badge levels with blood levels

We undertook a study in Albany, New York, to investigate whether volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measurable in the blood and in the breathing-zone air of people exposed to gasoline fumes and automotive exhaust. We sampled blood of 40 subjects, placed organic vapor badges on 40 subjects, and obtained personal breathing-zone samples from 24 subjects. We limited this analysis to 19 subjects who wore the organic vapor badges for at least 5 h. VOC levels, as determined by the organic vapor badges, were highly correlated with blood levels of these same compounds. Using detection in blood as the gold standard, we found the badges to be more sensitive than conventional charcoal tube samples in detecting low levels of methyl tert-butyl ether (0.60 vs 0.08), toluene (0.95 vs 0.64), and o-xylene (0.85 vs 0.64). In this study, organic vapor badges provided data on VOC exposure that correlated with blood assay results. These organic vapor badges might provide a convenient means of determining human exposure to VOCs in epidemiologic studies.
Hydrocodone and morphine possess similar rewarding effects and reduce erk and creb phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens

The number of prescriptions for hydrocodone-containing opioid analgesics has greatly increased over the past decade. This increase has led to an associated enhancement in the nonmedical use of hydrocodone products. There is a lack of evidence to determine the extent of the rewarding effects and signal transduction properties of hydrocodone. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the rewarding properties of hydrocodone (1 and 5 mg/kg) and morphine (1 and 5 mg/kg) using the conditioned place preference paradigm (CPP) in rats. Both hydrocodone and morphine produced a CPP at the 5 mg/kg dose, but not the lower 1 mg/kg dose, suggesting that both drugs possess similar rewarding properties in the CPP paradigm. Moreover, hydrocodone and morphine equally reduced phosphorylation levels of ERK and CREB proteins in the nucleus accumbens, suggesting that both drugs exert their effects through signal transduction pathways known to be involved in drug reward and reinforcement. These findings suggest that hydrocodone should be viewed as similarly capable of producing rewarding and euphoric properties as morphine.