cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct assay method for guanosine 5'-monophosphate reductase activity.

A sensitive and simple micromethod for the accurate measurement of GMP reductase (EC 1.6.6.8) activity in crude extracts is described. The reaction product of [8-14C]IMP was separated from the substrate [8-14C]GMP by descending chromatography on Whatman DE81 ion-exchange paper. This separation method provides an analysis of the possible interfering reactions, such as the metabolic conversion of the substrate GMP to GDP, GTP, and/or guanosine, and guanine and the loss of the product IMP to inosine, hypoxanthine, and other metabolites. Low blank values (70–90 cpm) were obtained consistently with this assay because the IMP spot moves faster than the GMP spot. The major advantages of this method are direct measurement of GMP reductase activity in crude extracts, high sensitivity (with a limit of detection of less than 10 pmol of IMP production), high reproducibility (< ± 5%), and capability to measure activity in small samples (9 μg protein).
High speed digital TDC for D0 vertex reconstruction

A high-speed digital TDC (time-to-digital converter) has been built as part of the Level 0 trigger for the D phi experiment at Fermilab. The digital TDC is used to make a fast determination of the primary vertex position by timing the arrival times of beam jets detected in the Level 0 counters. The vertex position is then used by the Level 1 trigger to determine the proper sin theta weighting factors for calculating transverse energies. Commercial GaAs integrated circuits are used in the digital TDC to obtain a time resolution of sigma /sub t/=226 ps. The current design is limited to measuring a maximum time difference of approximately=100 ns, but it could be easily extended by cascading additional counter stages. >
A transducer function for threshold and suprathreshold human vision

A nonlinear function is derived to describe the contrast transduction process for human visual mechanisms. This function is sigmoid in form, having an accelerating nonlinearity at low contrasts and a compressive nonlinearity at high contrasts. The resulting formulation is consistent with both signal detection theory and with Quick's (1974) equation for probability summation. Similarities between the present description of human vision and properties of complex cells in cat visual cortex are noted.
American sign language fingerspelling recognition with phonological feature-based tandem models

We study the recognition of fingerspelling sequences in American Sign Language from video using tandem-style models, in which the outputs of multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifiers are used as observations in a hidden Markov model (HMM)-based recognizer. We compare a baseline HMM-based recognizer, a tandem recognizer using MLP letter classifiers, and a tandem recognizer using MLP classifiers of phonological features. We present experiments on a database of fingerspelling videos. We find that the tandem approaches outperform an HMM-based baseline, and that phonological feature-based tandem models outperform letter-based tandem models.
GREAT MEN AND HARD TIMES: SOCIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Sociology at the University of Minnesota has had a long and distinguished history. From its founding in 1910 many prominent sociologists have taught and have graduated from the department. We present an overview of the growth of the department, and certain influential events which affected the direction of department governance and intellectual development. The department achieved its “Golden Age” under the leadership of F. Stuart Chapin, who chaired the department for nearly three decades (1922–1951). We speculate about the internal and external pressures that have affected the Minnesota department-and other sociology departments-over the past two decades, during its period of greatest expansion but of significant tensions as well.
Evidence that caterpillar labial saliva suppresses infectivity of potential bacterial pathogens

FN1 Paper presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, October 2003. Symposium entitled Insect Saliva: An Integrative Approach. ABS Salivary enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOX) from the caterpillar Helicoverpa zea, catalyzes the conversion of glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Because hydrogen peroxide has well-known antimicrobial properties, we examined whether caterpillar labial saliva could reduce the infectivity of bacterial pathogens. We examined the effects of caterpillar saliva on the growth of two bacteria species Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wells formed in LB agar contained a solution of salivary gland extract (Sx) and glucose, GOX and glucose, Sx only, GOX only, or glucose only. After 18 h of incubation, the diameter of cleared bacteria was measured. Wells treated with only GOX, Sx, or glucose showed no measurable area of clearing, while wells treated with GOX with glucose or Sx with glucose had considerable clearing. To determine if saliva could provide protection to caterpillars in vivo, a surgery was performed on caterpillars that prevented the secretion of labial saliva. Caterpillars were fed a diet containing either no added bacteria or treated with high levels of S. marcescens or P. aeruginosa. Caterpillars that could not secrete saliva had significantly higher levels of mortality when feeding on diet treated with either bacterium than caterpillars that could secrete saliva when feeding on equal levels of bacteria-treated diet. Our evidence demonstrates for the first time that insect saliva in situ can provide protection against bacterial pathogens and that the salivary enzyme GOX appears to provide the antimicrobial properties. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 58:138–144, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of methods used to estimate conventional undiscovered petroleum resources: World examples

Various methods for assessing undiscovered oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid resources were compared in support of the USGS World Petroleum Assessment 2000. Discovery process, linear fractal, parabolic fractal, engineering estimates, PETRIMES, Delphi, and the USGS 2000 methods were compared. Three comparisons of these methods were made in: (1) the Neuquen Basin province, Argentina (different assessors, same input data); (2) provinces in North Africa, Oman, and Yemen (same assessors, different methods); and (3) the Arabian Peninsula, Arabian (Persian) Gulf, and North Sea (different assessors, different methods). A fourth comparison (same assessors, same assessment methods but different geologic models), between results from structural and stratigraphic assessment units in the North Sea used only the USGS 2000 method, and hence compared the type of assessment unit rather than the method. In comparing methods, differences arise from inherent differences in assumptions regarding: (1) the underlying distribution of the parent field population (all fields, discovered and undiscovered), (2) the population of fields being estimated; that is, the entire parent distribution or the undiscovered resource distribution, (3) inclusion or exclusion of large outlier fields; (4) inclusion or exclusion of field (reserve) growth, (5) deterministic or probabilistic models, (6) data requirements, and (7) scale and time frame of the assessment. Discovery process, Delphi subjective consensus, and the USGS 2000 method yield comparable results because similar procedures are employed. In mature areas such as the Neuquen Basin province in Argentina, the linear and parabolic fractal and engineering methods were conservative compared to the other five methods and relative to new reserve additions there since 1995. The PETRIMES method gave the most optimistic estimates in the Neuquen Basin. In less mature areas, the linear fractal method yielded larger estimates relative to other methods. A geologically based model, such as one using the total petroleum system approach, is preferred in that it combines the elements of petroleum source, reservoir, trap and seal with the tectono-stratigraphic history of basin evolution with petroleum resource potential. Care must be taken to demonstrate that homogeneous populations in terms of geology, geologic risk, exploration, and discovery processes are used in the assessment process.
Theory of a general class of dissipative processes.

Development of a theory of periodic processes that is of sufficient generality for being applied to systems defined by partial differential equations (distributed parameter systems) and functional differential equations of the retarded and neutral type (hereditary systems), as well as to systems arising in the theory of elasticity. In particular, the attempt is made to develop a meaningful general theory of dissipative periodic systems with a wide range of applications.
Modifications to central neural circuitry during heart failure.

Aim: During heart failure (HF), excess sodium retention is triggered by increased plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone activity and increased basal sympathetic nerve discharge (SND). Enhanced basal SND in the renal nerves plays a role in sodium retention. Therefore, as a hypothetical model for the central sympathetic control pathways that are dysregulated as a consequence of HF, the cental neural pathways regulating the sympathetic motor output to the kidney are reviewed in the context of their role during HF. Conclusion: From these findings, a model of the neuroanatomical circuitry that may be affected during HF is constructed.
A Model Curriculum for Substance Abuse Education in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training Programs

Abstract Child psychiatry training recognizes substance abuse as a problem requiring an educational effort to provide fellows with adequate clinical skills to manage these patients. The components of a substance abuse educational module which may be integrated intoexisting child psychiatry fellowships are presented, with a discussion of practical problems raised by the expansion of child psychiatry into this neglected area. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1990, 29, 5:817–820.
Nanometer Accurate Markerless Pattern Overlay Using Thermal Scanning Probe Lithography

Thermal scanning probe lithography combines high-resolution patterning capabilities with the ability to read topography without causing resist exposure. As such, it is an ideal candidate for the implementation of markerless pattern overlay. This approach eliminates errors arising from marker degradation and inconsistencies in the positioning hardware used for reading and writing. Here, we outline our implementation and characterization of a markerless lithography process. We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that alignment errors below 5 nm are possible for micron-sized features having an amplitude of just 4 nm. Further, we show that following proper calibration, a limiting overlay accuracy of 1.1 nm per axis is achievable.
Fast error whitening algorithms for system identification and control with noisy data

Linear system identification with noisy input/output is a critical problem in signal processing and control. Conventional techniques based on the mean squared-error (MSE) criterion can at best provide a biased parameter estimate of the unknown system being modeled. Recently, we proposed a new criterion called the error whitening criterion (EWC) to solve the problem of linear parameter estimation in the presence of additive white noise. Accordingly, the central idea is to partially whiten the error signal beyond a predetermined correlation lag. In the first-half of the paper, we will derive a fast Quasi-Newton type recursive algorithm to compute the optimal EWC solution in an online manner. The algorithm has O(N^2) complexity where, N represents the length of the parameter vector to be estimated. One of the primary limitations of EWC is the assumption that the input noise must be white. In the second-half of this paper, we will introduce a modified cost function that overcomes this assumption and allows the noise in the input to be colored. The analysis of this modified cost function is then presented followed by a sample-by-sample stochastic gradient algorithm to optimally compute the analytical solution. Finally, we will show the experimental results with EWC as well as the modified criterion in system identification and controller design problems.
On Socrates and Alcibiades

Abstract Robert Faulker locates the core of his book in his chapters on Aristotle, Plato, and Xenophon. The most difficult of these discusses Alcibiades and Socrates’ relationship with him: in particular, what distinguished Alcibiades’ ambition, why did Socrates pursue him, and what effect did Socrates have on this ambitious leader? The following remarks examine and support Faulkner's case that Socratic philosophy did indeed “moderate considerably [Alcibiades’] ambition to rule the world” and thus that ancient political thought is essential for rendering towering ambition safe for democracy.
Synthesis of appropriately functionalized vancomycin CD and DE ring systems

Abstract Synthesis of appropriately and fully functionalized 16-membered CD and DE ring systems of vancomycin is detailed.
Electronic computation of first‐order wave functions using green's functions

Green's functions and the symbol manipulative computer language LISP have been used to obtain exact, closed form, first-order functions and second-order energies for the first fourteen states of the hydrogen atom in electric and magnetic fields.
Exploring gas permeability of lipid membranes using coarse-grained molecular dynamics

Molecular transport through biological membranes occurs in a range of interesting processes. To understand basic permeation functions of a biomembrane, we have carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) as the bilayer membrane. By reducing the degrees of freedom and employing suitable potentials, a coarse-grained (CG) model can provide direct insight into collective phenomena in biological membranes at longer time and length scales. We used a CG model for DPPC bilayer, which had been parametrised to mimic fundamental structural properties. The permeation process of small molecules such as Xe, O2 and CO2 through the lipid bilayers was investigated. The density profiles and the local diffusion coefficients of the permeating gases across the bilayer membranes are obtained from the MD simulations. By studying gas molecules permeating through the lipid bilayer, we obtain an improved understanding of transport processes across membranes in biological systems in t...
Empirical tests of aspects of a theory of love as a story

We provide empirical tests of aspects of a theory of love as a story. According to this theory, people develop—as an interaction between their personality and their experiences—stories of what they believe loving relationships should be. Examples of such stories are addiction, mystery, police, and travel stories. They then seek out and find greatest satisfaction with partners whose stories correspond more closely with their own. The data from two studies indicate that the theory and instrument have some promise for understanding people's ways of conceptualizing love. In particular, couples involved in intimate relationships tend to share similar profiles of love stories; the more similar the stories of two members of a couple, the more likely they are to be satisfied with their relationship. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupational Therapy Assessment for Older Adults With Depression

Occupational performance is posited to be a multifaceted construct involving self-perceptions of competence, habits of daily living, skills of daily living, and occupational performance components. This article describes the assessment of occupational performance in older adults with depression. The questions gulding the assessment are delineated, the appropriate data-gathering methodologies are identified, the characteristic yield obtained from depressed older adults is described, and the occupational diagnosis is illustrated.
Perforators of the lower leg: analysis of perforator locations and clinical application for pedicled perforator flaps.

Background:Pedicled perforator flaps in the lower leg enable reconstruction of a variety of local defects without microvascular anastomoses and with minimal donor-site morbidity. This study determined the reliable locations of the lower leg perforators.Methods:Twenty lower limbs harvested from fresh
Human Skin Grafted Upon the Chorioallantois of the Chick Embryo for Virus Cultivation

Summary and Conclusions(1) Human skin may readily be grafted onto the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated eggs. (2) The prepuce removed by usual surgical circumcision is a satisfactory source of adequate amounts of skin. (3) Penicillin and streptomycin obviate most bacterial contamination. (4) Grafted human skin may be passed serially from egg to egg at weekly intervals and remain viable. (5) Herpes simplex and vaccinia grow readily on grafted human skin, with the formation of characteristic inclusion bodies. (6) A successful inoculation with herpes zoster confirms the previous single successful cultivation of this virus outside of the human body.
Joint Transform Correlator Limitations

A Joint Transform Correlator which uses inexpensive liquid crystal televisions as spatial light modulators has been constructed. The advantages that this architecture offers over the Vander Lugt matched filter type correlator will be examined. The disadvantages shared by both architectures, as well as some constraints unique to the Joint Transform configuration, will also be discussed.
A SIMPLE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR SELF-CONTROL OF BLOOD PRESSURE'

Summary.-A relatively simple, open-loop, feedback system, based on closedcircuit television, which can be used to teach Ss to control cheir blood pressure is described, along with two experiments which demonstrate its efficacy. In the first experiment 10 normotensive Ss were able to increase systolic blood pressure with the aid of feedback over the level obtainable with the same instructions but without feedback. The second experiment provided n systematic replication of the efficacy of the feedback system. Groups of 13 normotensive Ss for 3 daily 20-min. trials were given either (1) proportional feedback via the new openloop system or (2) binary feedback of systolic blood pressure on a once per minute basis or (3) were given no feedback but instructions to lower their blood pressure. Results showed a consistent advantage for blood pressure lowering of the new feedback system over binary feedback or no feedback. The latter two did not differ. The self-control of blood pressure through the use of augmented sensory feedback is fairly well established both in clinical crials with hypertensive patients (Benson, Shapiro, Tursky, & Schwartz, 1971; Elder, Ruiz, Deabler, & Dillenkoffer, 1973) and in short-term studies on normotensive Ss (Brener & Kleinman, 1970; Shapiro, Tursky, Gershon, & Stern, 1969; Shapiro, Schwartz, & Tursky, 1972). However, mosc of the feedback systems described to date are relatively complex (Brener & Kleinman, 1970; Miller, 1972; Tursky, Shapiro, & Schwartz, 1972 ) and require highly skilled personnel to maintain their operation;"hus they are possibly beyond the scope of many less well equipped laboratories. This paper describes a relatively simple, open-loop, feedback system, based on closed circuit television, which can be used to teach Ss to control their blood pressure and the results of two preliminary studies of self-control of blood pressure designed to confirm the efficacy of the feedback system.
Bezout Domains and Elliptic Curves

Let k be a fixed algebraic closure of ℚ and k(t)ac a fixed algebraic closure of k(t). Let S ⊆ k[t]\ {0} be a multiplicative set. Let A = S −1(k[t]) and be the integral closure of A in k(t)ac. We use elliptic curves to develop a necessary condition on S for to be a Bezout domain. We give some examples of S which fail to satisfy this condition. As a consequence, we eliminate some candidates for a good Rumely domain of characteristic 0 with algebraic subring k.
Fresh air and sunshine: the forgotten antibiotics

Florence Nightingale knew about them. Your grandparents might have known about them. So why have doctors turned their backs on these two potent germ killers?
Kicking off the polo game

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is essential for checkpoint recovery and the activation of key mitotic enzymes; however, its own activation mechanism has remained elusive. Recent findings show that Bora, a G 2 –M expressed protein, facilitates Plk1 activation by the oncogenic kinase Aurora A in G 2 . During mitosis, Plk1-dependent Bora degradation promotes Aurora A localization to the centrosome and/or spindle. Bora-dependent regulation provides important new insights into interactions between key mitotic kinases.
Family-Based Association Study of Lithium-Related and Other Candidate Genes in Bipolar Disorder

Context Association studies in bipolar disorder have been focused on a relatively narrow pool of candidate genes based on a limited understanding of the underlying pathophysiologic features. Recent developments suggest that a broader pool of genes may be associated with this disorder. Objective To examine the association between genes related to the lithium mechanism of action, as well as other positional and functional candidates, with bipolar I disorder. Design We examined a dense set of haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms using a gene-based test of association. Participants Three hundred seventy-nine parent-affected offspring trios. Results No genes specifically chosen to probe the action of lithium were associated with bipolar disorder. However, gene-based analysis of sialyltransferase 4A ( SIAT4A ), tachykinin receptor 1 ( TACR1 ), and γ-aminobutyric acid A β2 receptor subunit ( GABRB2 ) yielded evidence of association (empirical P value, DTNBP1 ), neuregulin ( NRG1 ), and disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 ( DISC1 ), only DISC1 showed evidence of association in this cohort. In a secondary analysis of these 6 genes among parent-proband trios with a history of psychosis, evidence of the association with SIAT4A was strengthened. Conclusions These results suggest novel candidates and 1 gene ( DISC1 ) previously associated with schizophrenia that merit further study in bipolar disorder. However, polymorphisms in major lithium-signaling genes do not appear to contribute substantially to bipolar liability.
Agonistic displays in the rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris

Agonistic encounters between pairs of adult rick bass, Ambloplites rupestris were observed and the behaviour and changes in coloration of the dominant and subordinate individuals analysed. Dominance coloration involved the establishment of a high degree of visual contrast, whereas subordinate coloration made the animals darker and their coloration less striking, thus perhaps serving a protective function.
An efficient algorithm for multiscale flow simulation of dilute polymeric solutions using bead-spring chains

In this study, a computationally efficient algorithm for multiscale flow simulation of dilute polymer solutions using a bead-spring chain description of polymer molecules is presented. The algorithm combines a computationally efficient extension of the earlier BCF-based semi-implicit method (i.e., approximately four-fold speed up) for multiscale flow simulations using a bead-spring dumbbell description [M. Somasi, B. Khomami, Linear stability and dynamics of viscoelastic flows using time-dependent stochastic simulation techniques, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 93 (2000) 339–362] with a highly CPU efficient predictor–corrector scheme for BD simulation of bead-spring chains [M. Somasi, B. Khomami, N. Woo, J. Hur, E. Shaqfeh, Brownian dynamics simulations of bead-rod and bead-spring chains: numerical algorithms and coarse-graining issues, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 108 (2002) 227–255]. The fidelity and computational efficiency of the parallel implementation of the algorithm are demonstrated via three benchmark flow problems, namely, plane Couette flow, Poiseuille flow and 4:1:4 axisymmetric contraction–expansion flow. The algorithm shows linear speed up with the number of processors and more importantly with the number of chain segments. In addition, the proposed algorithm is approximately 50 times faster in comparison to the only existing fully implicit method [J. Ramirez, M. Laso, Size reduction methods for the implicit time-dependent simulation of micro-macro viscoelastic flow problems, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 127 (2005) 41–49].
Evolution in mechanisms for public projects

This paper considers the explicit, real time dynamic processes in which cooperation emerges in a class ofbinary decision mechanisms, each of which determines funding for a public project. This class includes the Voluntary Contribution and the Majority Voting mechanisms. The population is subject to “turnover” so that new individuals enter society with possibly different beliefs about the future evolution of societal behavior than their predecessors. Individuals in this society maximize their discounted expected utilities. Due to the frequent turnover, however, these expectations may not be mutually consistent. Nevertheless, we find, for each mechanism, the nonempty set of the parameters for which the behavior pattern starting from states with nonprovision is absorbed into states with full provision with probability one. Moreover, for a sufficiently large population, outcomes with full provision are absorbing states if and only if certain types of voting mechanisms are used.
A Phase II Study of Topotecan in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

Abstract Objective. The toxicity and activity of intravenous topotecan were assessed in a multicenter Phase II study (GOG 76-U) in patients with advanced, recurrent, or persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods. Intravenous topotecan was administered at 1.5 mg/m 2 per day for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks in patients without prior chemotherapy, aside from chemosensitizing agents used in conjunction with radiotherapy. The study required histologic confirmation of primary diagnosis, adequate performance status, and measurable disease to assess response. A two-stage design for accrual was used to allow for early termination of the study should inadequate response or excessive toxicity be an issue. Modifications of dose were based on hematologic toxicity. Treatment was continued until progression of disease was documented or adverse effects prohibited further therapy. Results. A total of 49 patients were entered on study; of these 5 were never treated, and 1 was not evaluable for response. More than 88% (38 of 43 patients) had received prior radiotherapy. A median of two courses were administered per patient with a range of 1 to 14 cycles. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 68% and grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 18% of patients. Nonhematologic toxic effects were infrequent and not dose-limiting. The overall response rate (complete and partial) was 18.6%. The median progression-free survival was 2.4 months. Conclusions. Topotecan administered at this dose and schedule demonstrated moderate activity albeit at a cost of substantial hematologic toxicity in patients with advanced, recurrent, and persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
RATES OF PHOTOADAPTATION IN SEA ICE DIATOMS FROM MCMURDO SOUND, ANTARCTICA1

Sea ice microalgae are released from their relatively stable light environment to the water column seasonally, and any subsequent growth in a vertically mixed water column may depend, in part, on their photoadaptation rates. In this study we followed the time course of photoadaptation in natural sea ice algal communities from bottom ice and surface ice by measuring their photophysiological response to an artificial shift in the ambient irradiance field. Microalgae from under-ice habitats, were incubated under full sunlight (LL-HL) and microalgae from surface ice habitats were incubated under artificial light to mimic under-ice irradiance (HL-LL). During 3- to 4-day time course studies, opposite shifts in chlorophyll: carbon, α, PBm, and Ik were observed, depending on the direction of the irradiance change. First-order rate constants (k) ranged from 0.0067 to 0.29 h−1 for photosynthetic parameters, although PBm did not always show a clear change over time. Rates of photoadaptation for ice algae are comparable to k values reported for temperate phytoplankton, suggesting that sea ice algae may be equally capable of adapting to the light conditions experienced in a vertically mixed water column. This study presents the first evidence that sea ice microalgae are physiologically capable of adapting to a planktonic life and thus could serve as a seed population for polar marine phytoplankton blooms.
Association of prenatal physical activity and gestational weight gain: results from the first baby study.

Background: In response to increasing rates of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and evidence of postpartum weight retention and long-term overweight and obesity, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) revised their guidelines for GWG in 2009. Prenatal physical activity is recommended, although its role in preventing excessive GWG is unclear. We sought to understand the association between prenatal physical activity and GWG in a longitudinal cohort. Methods: During a baseline survey at 34 weeks, women (n ¼ 3,006) reported their height, prepregnancy weight, and physical activity during pregnancy. GWG was self-reported at 1-month postpartum. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, poverty status, marital status, gestational age at the time of delivery, and smoking was used to model the association between adequate physical activity during pregnancy and exceeding the IOM recommendations for GWG. Findings: Overweight women were most likely to exceed the IOM recommendations for GWG (78.7%), followed by obese women and normal weight women (65.0% and 42.4%, respectively). The majority of women participated in some physical activity during pregnancy, with 41.2% engaging in 60 to 149 minutes and 32.1% engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. In adjusted analysis, meeting the physical activity guidelines was associated with a 29% (confidence interval, 0.57–0.88) lower odds of exceeding the IOM recommendations for GWG compared with inactive women. Conclusions: Findings of high rates of excessive GWG, especially among women with overweight and obesity, are concerning given the associated health burdens. The association of guideline-concordant physical activity with appropriate GWG suggests this is an important target for future interventions. Copyright 2013 by the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Characteristics of 2-phase servomotors

IN THE past few years, small 2-phase induction motors have become quite popular for use as servomotors in control systems where relatively small torques are required.
Transmission of the Chelonian Haemoproteid Haemoproteus metchnikovi by a Tabanid Fly Chrysops callidus

Haemoproteus metchnikovi (Simond, 1901), also referred to by Garnham1 as Simondia metchnikovi, is a parasite of chelonians. For a number of years we have studied haematophagous insects that feed on turtles in an attempt to discover the mode of transmission of H. metchnikovi. Insects were collected, dissected and examined for the presence of intermediate developmental stages and sporozoites. During these studies a sporozoite was found in the salivary glands of the fly Chrysops callidus2 (Diptera: Tabanidae), which gave rise to typical gametocytes of H. metchnikovi in erythrocytes when inoculated into laboratory raised turtles, Chrysemys picta. We believe this is the first report of a dipteran of the family Tabanidae serving as the intermediate host of a haemosporidian.
Effects Induced by Axial Ligands Binding to Tetrapyrrole-Based Aromatic Metallomacrocycles

The axial positions of planar metallomacrocycles are unoccupied. The positively charged metal is thus a potential binding site for electron-donating groups. The binding strength is affected by the central metal, the ligand, and the macrocycle. One ligand leads to the out-of-plane displacement of the central metal, whereas two ligands from two sides structurally neutralize each other. The axial ligand donates charge to the central metal and the macrocycle when the lone pair orients along the interaction axis. The frontier orbital levels are elevated because of the charge donated to the macrocycle. Even though the singlet–triplet gap and the absorption maximum do not change significantly upon binding, the redox chemistry is considerably affected by the shifts of orbital levels. The macrocyclic M–N bonds are weakened by the binding, but their natures remain almost unchanged. Calcium phthalocyanine is a special case, as the central calcium is too large to fit the cavity. Accordingly, multiple ligands facilely...
Host Cell Nucleolin Is Required To Maintain the Architecture of Human Cytomegalovirus Replication Compartments

ABSTRACT Drastic reorganization of the nucleus is a hallmark of herpesvirus replication. This reorganization includes the formation of viral replication compartments, the subnuclear structures in which the viral DNA genome is replicated. The architecture of replication compartments is poorly understood. However, recent work with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) showed that the viral DNA polymerase subunit UL44 concentrates and viral DNA synthesis occurs at the periphery of these compartments. Any cellular factors involved in replication compartment architecture are largely unknown. Previously, we found that nucleolin, a major protein component of nucleoli, associates with HCMV UL44 in infected cells and is required for efficient viral DNA synthesis. Here, we show that nucleolin binds to purified UL44. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated colocalization of nucleolin with UL44 at the periphery of replication compartments. Pharmacological inhibition of viral DNA synthesis prevented the formation of replication compartments but did not abrogate association of UL44 and nucleolin. Thus, association of UL44 and nucleolin is unlikely to be a nonspecific effect related to development of replication compartments. No detectable colocalization of 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU)-labeled viral DNA with nucleolin was observed, suggesting that nucleolin is not directly involved in viral DNA synthesis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of nucleolin caused improper localization of UL44 and a defect in EdU incorporation into viral DNA. We propose a model in which nucleolin anchors UL44 at the periphery of replication compartments to maintain their architecture and promote viral DNA synthesis. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important human pathogen. HCMV infection causes considerable rearrangement of the structure of the nucleus, largely due to the formation of viral replication compartments within the nucleus. Within these compartments, the virus replicates its DNA genome. We previously demonstrated that nucleolin is required for efficient viral DNA synthesis and now find that the nucleolar protein nucleolin interacts with a subunit of the viral DNA polymerase, UL44, specifically at the periphery of replication compartments. Moreover, we find that nucleolin is required to properly localize UL44 at this region. Nucleolin is, therefore, involved in the organization of proteins within replication compartments. This, to our knowledge, is the first report identifying a cellular protein required for maintaining replication compartment architecture.
Crack and Kids.

y oung children, newborns, and unboms are the hidden victims of our national drug epidemic. Hundreds of children are dying and many thousands more are suffering physical and mental deficiencies because their parents abuse cocaine and other drugs. This is the single toughest issue facing America's welfare agencies today. At the same time, this is an area where private philanthropy can make an immediate and valuable impact on the welfare of children. Using cocaine when pregnant is one of the most dangerous things a woman can do. Cocaine, and its derivative "crack," constrict the blood vessels of the placenta, denying the fetus blood and nutrients. In the fetus it can cause strokes, or stroke-like activity in the brain. It can also cause birth defects such as missing lungs and deformed hearts. Infant death rates are reported to be twice as high when mothers use cocaine. This is a problem that is growing and spreading. For three years in a row, the number of drug-exposed babies bom in New York City just about doubled to the point now where there are about 8,000 such cases in New York. In Washington, DC, the conservative estimates are that 15 percent of all births are drug-exposed. In Los Angeles County, the number of such cases increased from 543 to 1,300 between 1985 and 1987. At Boston's Children's Hospital, the percentage of drug-exposed babies went from three percent in 1985 to 18 percent in 1989. Crack causes the most serious problems. It makes people do mean things. There are cases in which teen mothers in their seventh and eighth month of pregnancy take large amounts of crack to induce an early birth. Why? Because they are bored with being pregnant. They want their baby born, even if premature. Then there are mothers who give birth and abandon their babies in the hospital. Some mothers give birth to children with terrible side effects from crack use. They leave and do not come back for weeks. One child died in the hospital. The case worker kept asking the mother, "Don't you want to make some plans for the child's burial?" But the mother was in a different world. Among the many ideas that grantmakers could act on, six stand out as the most important. They are clearly within the reach of even smaller sized foundations and donors.
β-Silylcarbenes from isolable diazosilanes

Manganese dioxide oxidation of the hydrazone derivative of tert-butyldimethylsilyl acetophenone gave 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-phenyldiazoethane (17) an isolable diazocompound. Thermal and Rh(II)-catalyzed decomposition of diazosilane 17 in cyclohexane led to 1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-phenylethylene (19) as the major product. The formation of alkene 19 presumably involves (tert-butyldimethylsilyl)methylphenylcarbene (21), which undergoes preferential 1,2-silyl migration as opposed to 1,2-hydrogen migration. Thermal decomposition of 17 in cyclohexane under oxygen gave substantial amounts of tert-butyldimethylsilyl acetophenone, presumably by reaction of the intermediate carbene with oxygen. Thermal decomposition of 17 in methanol led to alkene 19 and 2-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-methoxy-1-phenylethane (22) as major products, along with a significant amount of trans-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-2-phenylethylene (20). Kinetic studies indicate that these products are not derived from acid-catalyzed decomposit...
Chemoprevention Strategies with Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors for Lung Cancer

Clinical lung cancer is the ultimate event resulting from a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations in the respiratory epithelium at risk. According to the "field carcinogenesis" theory, these alterations can occur throughout the entire lung. In individuals with a genetic predisposition combined with a sufficient amount of procarcinogenic environmental influences, a few of these sites may eventually progress to malignancies. Recent advances in the understanding of tumor biology have identified new therapeutic targets for lung cancer chemoprevention, among which is cyclooxgygenase (COX)-2. Ample preclinical data suggest that the COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in conferring the malignant phenotype. Produced primarily by the action of COX on the free arachidonic acid liberated from membrane phospholipids, overproduction of PGE2, which is predominantly generated by upregulation of COX-2, is associated with a variety of mechanisms known to facilitate tumorigenesis. These mechanisms include abnormal expression of epithelial growth factors, epithelial and microvascular proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and suppression of antitumor immunity. The lung is one of the major sites of PGE2 production, and previous studies have shown elevated PGE2 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. In animal models, inhibition of COX-2 and PGE2 synthesis suppresses lung tumorigenesis. These preclinical data suggesting the antineoplastic effect of COX-2 inhibitors provide the basis for several ongoing pilot clinical trials to determine the feasibility of COX-2 inhibition in chemoprevention of bronchogenic carcinoma.
Household mouse allergen exposure and asthma morbidity in inner-city preschool children.

Background Inner-city children experience disproportionate asthma morbidity, and suspected reasons include indoor environmental exposures. Objective To determine if mouse allergen exposure is a risk factor for asthma morbidity. Methods Preschool children with asthma were recruited from inner-city Baltimore, MD. Skin testing was performed and blood was collected at the baseline visit for quantification of mouse allergen specific IgE. A questionnaire evaluated symptoms, medication, and health care use at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. A trained technician collected dust samples from the child's home for analysis of Mus m 1 at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Outcomes were compared between mouse-sensitized, highly exposed children and all other children. Results A total of 127 children had complete data for mouse sensitization status and bedroom settled dust mouse allergen levels at baseline. The mean age of the children was 4.4 years, 92% were African American, and 26% were sensitized to mouse. Mouse-sensitized children exposed to higher levels of Mus m 1 (>0.5 μg/g) had 50% more days of symptoms (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.1) and 80% more days of β-agonist use than other children (IRR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3–2.5). Children in the sensitized and highly exposed group were also more likely to have an unscheduled physician visit (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6–6.3), emergency department visit (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4.1), and hospitalization (OR, 36.6; 95% CI, 4.1–327.3) than other children. These associations between mouse allergen exposure and asthma symptoms and morbidity remained statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including atopy and cockroach sensitization and exposure. Conclusions In mouse-sensitized inner-city children, exposure to mouse allergen may be an important cause of asthma morbidity.
Importance of allograft biopsy in renal transplant recipients: Correlation between clinical and histological diagnosis

Renal allograft dysfunction after transplantation may be caused by acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR), cyclosporine (CyA) or tacrolimus (FK) toxicity, and other causes such as recurrence of renal disease. Allograft biopsy is the "gold standard" to establish the correct diagnosis. However, many transplant centers routinely do not consider graft biopsy at the onset of renal dysfunction; instead, empirical steroid therapy or CyA dose reduction is the initial response to graft dysfunction. In this study, we prospectively predicted the histological findings prior to renal biopsy and correlated the clinical and histological diagnoses after the final report was issued by the pathologist. Patients with renal dysfunction after transplantation (increased serum creatinine >20% from baseline) were submitted to allograft biopsy. Three clinicians (C1, C2, and C3) involved in the care of these patients independently predicted the histological findings prior to the biopsy. A total of 100 cases (62 men, 38 women; 71 whites, 29 blacks) with a mean age of 41 years (21 to 70 years) were included in this study. Biopsy samples were taken after a mean period of 1.6 +/- 0.32 years (median, 0.25 years; range, 4 days to 17 years) after transplantation. Two patients with en bloc pediatric kidneys required postbiopsy blood transfusions for self-limiting bleeding; all other patients had no complications. All patients received azathioprine and prednisone; additionally, 74 received CyA and 19 FK. Final histopathologic diagnoses were AR (30), CyA/FK toxicity (36), AR plus CyA/FK toxicity (17), CR (11), recurrent disease (11), and other (6). In 28 cases (28%), the results of the biopsies showed more than one diagnosis. A completely correct diagnosis was predicted by C1, C2, and C3 in 47%, 42%, and 41% (mean, 43%) of the cases, incorrect diagnosis in 25%, 27%, and 25% (mean, 26%) of the cases, and partially correct diagnosis in 28%, 31%, and 34% (mean, 31%) of the cases, respectively. AR was confirmed histologically in 26 of 47 cases (55%) in the presence of therapeutic or high CyA/FK blood levels, whereas in 41 of 53 cases (77%), the histology showed CyA/FK toxicity in the presence of therapeutic or low CyA/FK blood levels. The mean serum creatinine at the time of the biopsy was 2.92 +/- 0.30 mg/dL, compared with the baseline of 1.76 +/- 0.10 mg/dL (P < 0.0001). After appropriate treatment, mean serum creatinine was 2.38 +/- 0.33 mg/dL (P < 0.0001). These data show that clinical prediction was poor, with totally correct diagnosis in only 43% of the cases. In 26%, the diagnosis was incorrect. We conclude that the renal biopsy is essential for establishing the correct diagnosis of renal allograft dysfunction and the appropriate management thereof.
Polarization, Interference Contrast, and Photoluminescence Imaging in Near Field Optical Microscopy

The design and operation of a number of techniques in near field optical microscopy are described. Specific attention is paid to the three modalities of polarization, interference contrast, and photoluminescence imaging. By premodulating the polarization state of the sample beam, pure, linear, polarizing microscopy is performed. In addition, polarization anomalies are observed in the focal plane of a high numerical aperture lens. Amplitude and phase contrast imaging is performed in a feedback stabilized Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Magneto-optically induced polarization shifts are detected interferometrically, resulting in linear sensitivity. Localized photoluminescence is induced in porous silicon, and the results are correlated with the topography of the sample.
An approach to develop component-based control software for flexible manufacturing systems

In recent years, component-based software engineering has emerged as an approach for creating control software for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). This paper presents a state-based approach to model software components as building blocks for flexible manufacturing control software. A general framework for modeling object-oriented manufacturing software is extended to component-oriented modeling. General approaches in developing state models, control logic, and interface components are presented. Software components that simulate sensors and control activities of the work cell were also created. The simulated components can interact with or replace real system components for planning, debugging, and testing purposes. Great emphasis has been placed on the generic features, reusability, ease of use, and ease of maintenance in the design of the software components. We implemented our software components in Java and tested our design and implementation using the Miami University Computer Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory FMS work cell. The benefits of the design were fully demonstrated through experiments at Miami.
Mathematical approaches to dynamic scaling

This is a brief overview of some mathematical work on dynamic scaling and coarsening in problems of phase separation.