cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Nearest-Neighbor Cooperative Binding of E. coli SSB Protein to DNA.

Abstract Escherichia coli single-strand (ss) DNA-binding protein (SSB) is an essential protein that binds ssDNA intermediates formed during genome maintenance. SSB homotetramers bind ssDNA in several modes differing in occluded site size and cooperativity. The 35-site-size ((SSB)35) mode favored at low [NaCl] and high SSB/DNA ratios displays high “unlimited” nearest-neighbor cooperativity (ω35), forming long protein clusters, whereas the 65-site-size ((SSB)65) mode in which ssDNA wraps completely around the tetramer is favored at higher [NaCl] (>200 mM) and displays “limited” cooperativity (ω65), forming only dimers of tetramers. In addition, a non-nearest-neighbor high cooperativity can also occur in the (SSB)65 mode on long ssDNA even at physiological salt concentrations in the presence of glutamate and requires its intrinsically disordered C-terminal linker (IDL) region. However, whether cooperativity exists between the different modes and the role of the IDL in nearest-neighbor cooperativity has not been probed. Here, we combine sedimentation velocity and fluorescence titration studies to examine nearest-neighbor cooperativity in each binding mode and between binding modes using (dT)70 and (dT)140. We find that the (SSB)35 mode always shows extremely high “unlimited” cooperativity that requires the IDL. At high salt, wild-type SSB and a variant without the IDL, SSB-ΔL, bind in the (SSB)65 mode but show little cooperativity, although cooperativity increases at lower [NaCl] for wild-type SSB. We also find significant intermode nearest-neighbor cooperativity (ω65/35), with ω65 ≪ ω65/35
Stereolithography 3D Printing of Lignin-Reinforced Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Due to the availability, biodegradability, and biological effects, lignin has emerged as an interesting alternative to petroleum-based compounds for developing sustainable chemicals, materials, and composites. In this study, lignin at various concentrations was incorporated into methacrylate resin via solution blending to fabricate lignin-reinforced composites using stereolithography apparatus three-dimensional printing. Softwood kraft lignin in the amounts of 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 wt % in the methacrylate resin was used as a printing ink, and the gel contents and relative contents of the residual resin in the printed samples with various lignin concentrations were measured. The effects of the lignin on the ultimate mechanical properties of the non-postcured and postcured printed composites were determined. The tensile testing results revealed that the incorporation of lignin in the composite increased the tensile strength by 46-64% and Young's modulus by 13-37% for the postcured printed composites compared with that of the control sample (no lignin added). Employing a 0.4 wt % softwood kraft lignin, the tensile strength of the postcured printed composite reached the highest value of 49.0 MPa, which was a 60% increase in comparison to that of the control sample with 30.7 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy images of the fracture samples illustrated that the lignin-incorporated composites exhibited a rougher fracture surface that can presumably dissipate the stress, which could be a contributing factor for the mechanical enhancement.
Big Data Analytics in Cyber Security: Network Traffic and Attacks

Network attacks, intrusion detection, and intrusion prevention are important topics in cyber security. Network flows and system events generate big data, which often leads to challenges in intrusio...
Quality of Life among Compound Caregivers and Noncompound Caregivers of Adults with Autism

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are reaching adulthood and require some form of lifelong care. Many parents continue caring for their adult children with ASD for as long as physically possible. As parents age, many also may provide care for another loved one, such a spouse or parent. This study compares compound (those providing care for multiple loved ones) and noncompound parental caregivers (those providing care solely for an adult child with ASD) on six dimensions of quality of life (enjoys life, life is meaningful, ability to concentrate, accepts bodily appearance, satisfied with self, and frequency of negative feelings). Specifically, this study determined the extent to which compound and noncompound caregivers' quality of life differed. The present study included 320 parents (age 50 or older) of adult children (18 or older) diagnosed with ASD who completed a web-based survey. T-tests for independent samples compared the six dimensions and overall quality of life between compound and noncompound caregivers. Results indicated that compound caregivers were less able to concentrate and had fewer negative feelings than noncompound caregivers. Further research is needed to determine the effects of caregiving on the multidimensional aspects of quality of life.
Outcomes and Tolerability of Definitive and Preoperative Chemoradiation in Elderly Patients With Esophageal Cancer: A Retrospective Institutional Review.

Abstract Purpose Our purpose was to report outcomes of elderly patients who underwent definitive treatment involving radiation therapy for esophageal cancer at our institution. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective review of patients aged ≥75 years with esophageal cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy (≥45 Gy) at our institution from 1997 to 2019. Acute and late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 3+ toxicities were recorded. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of the 89 patients included, median age was 80 and 78% were male. Median adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index and Karnofsky Performance Status were 5 (3-12) and 80 (50-100), respectively. The majority of cancers were adenocarcinoma (58%), distal (67%), and stage III (62%). Fifty-eight percent underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy, and one-third underwent preoperative intent chemoradiotherapy. Median prescribed dose was 50 Gy (45-66 Gy), and intensity modulated radiation therapy was used in 76%. Eighty-five percent completed the radiation therapy course. Among these, 20% had radiation therapy breaks. For those receiving concurrent chemotherapy, 37% had a dose reduction and 39.5% had a break/cycle reduction. Acute grade 3+ toxicity was 22%, with 2% grade 5 toxicity. Twenty-one of the 29 patients (72%) treated with preoperative intent underwent surgery. There were no deaths 90 days postoperatively. For patients who underwent surgery, 1- and 2-year overall survival were 95% and 84%. For those who did not undergo surgery, 1- and 2-year overall survival were 70% and 52%. Conclusions There is a role for aggressive radiation therapy in well-selected elderly patients with esophageal cancer. However, optimization of supportive care, chemotherapy regimens, radiation therapy dose/fractionation, and surgical indications are needed to reduce toxicity.
Blockchain in the World of Work: Hype or Hope?

Among the many disruptive new technologies that have emerged recently, blockchain is the one that has the most potential to profoundly revolutionise society and the labour market. For blockchain to be socially acceptable, however, accountability and transparency in the governance of its architecture is necessary – as is giving all actors, including workers, the ability to become co-creators in its technological development and to shape its implementation. This Foresight Brief describes blockchain technology and analyses its implications for the world of work and possible uses in certain sectors, including value chains. On a more experimental basis, it discusses whether blockchain can help to manage trade union organisations, including membership aspects, without establishing a specific ‘use case’. The publication finally highlights one (r)evolution for which society needs to be prepared, namely the way blockchain and artificial intelligence will increasingly be combined in the future. It outlines four important areas that need to be considered if these technologies are to be more widely adopted: data quality; privacy and data protection; environmental sustainability; and solving issues related to ‘smart contracts’ and ‘decentralised autonomous organisations’.
Quality Improvement in Pain Medicine

In the last 30 years, pain control in the United States has undergone several evolutions impacting the care of surgical patients. More recently, safe pain control has been a subject of quality improvement efforts by otolaryngologists focusing on minimizing opioid consumption. This article discusses the rising overprescription of opioids, influenced by legislation and governmental agencies, and the steps taken to correct and reform policies to decrease the amount of opioids prescribed. Lastly, specific institutional examples of quality improvement protocols implemented to help decrease opioid consumption and prescription are discussed.
Making Sense of COVID-19 with Child Patients: From Screen to Screen

Ten-year-old Benjamin describes his angry outbursts as “wildfires” and “catastrophes,” desperately building forts with the couch pillows in the basement of his home, only then to have them taken ap...
High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I for Risk Stratification in Older Adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Traditional cardiovascular risk factors are less predictive in older age. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) is a marker of subclinical cardiomyocyte damage associated with cardiovascular risk in middle-aged adults. We hypothesized hs-cTnI would be indicative of mortality and cardiovascular risk beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in older adults and may be more discriminatory compared to hs-troponin T (hs-cTnT). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. PARTICIPANTS We included 5,876 ARIC participants at Visit 5 (2011-2013). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES We used Cox regression for the association of hs-cTnI categories (women: <4, 4-<10, ≥10 ng/ml; men: <6, 6-<12, ≥12 ng/ml, prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD)) with mortality and incident CVD (atherosclerotic CVD [ASCVD]: coronary heart disease or stroke, or heart failure). RESULTS Participants were ages 66 to 90, 23% black, 42% male, and 24% had prevalent CVD. There were 1,053 (321 CVD) deaths (median follow-up 6.3 years). Participants with elevated hs-cTnI and no CVD (7% of participants) had mortality risk similar to those with a history of CVD (55.6 vs 55.7 deaths/1,000 person-years, P = .99). After adjustment, elevated hs-cTnI and no CVD (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.85-3.06) and prevalent CVD (HR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.90-2.57) remained associated with mortality, compared to low hs-cTnI and no CVD. Elevated hs-cTnI was independently associated with incident CVD (HR = 3.41, 95% CI = 2.58-4.51), ASCVD (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.36-2.98), and heart failure (HR = 6.16, 95% CI = 4.24-8.95). The addition of hs-cTnI significantly improved C-statistics for all outcomes and added greater discrimination than hs-cTnT for cardiovascular mortality and incident heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Hs-cTnI improves mortality and CVD risk stratification in older adults beyond traditional risk factors and improved model discrimination more than hs-cTnT for certain outcomes. Elevated hs-cTnI without CVD identifies a high-risk group with comparable mortality risk as those with a history of clinical CVD.
“Am I Dead Now?”: Confronting the Gothic Realities of Coverture in Rebecca Harding Davis’s “The Second Life”

In the second half of the nineteenth century, few issues were of more pressing importance to women than how and to what extent they could participate in the United States’ increasingly industrializ...
Bud Powell’s Improvising and the Aesthetics of Bebop Rhythm

This article explores the ways in which Bud Powell’s improvising embodies and contributes to the aesthetics of bebop rhythm. Special attention is paid to the relationship between Powell’s music and...
H. Pylori in the Presence of Type 2 Diabetes: Impact of an Antimicrobial Protocol on Blood Sugar Regulation

Treatment and eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has become an increased topic of interest as related to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and associated treatment regimens. This case report presents a 65-year-old overweight male (LG). LG sought medical care and nutrition counseling to address Type 2 Diabetes. H. pylori infection was also treated. Protocol & Results: LG’s supplement and dietary protocol included nutrient replenishment and fortification, targeted antimicrobial and ROS reduction, and increased glycemic control, which all contributed to reducing inflammatory processes from both exogenous sources and endogenous manufacture. LG’s treatment protocols demonstrate an overall remarkable recovery as indicated by biomarkers (anthropometric and lab values) and reports of marked overall improved vitality. Improvement appears to be directly correlated to decreased measures of weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose and HgA1C, ferritin, and other measures. Additions of lifestyle interventions including mindfulness exercises, vagal nerve stimulation, increased exercise, and intermittent fasting likely synergized anti-inflammatory effects, especially with increased immune effect to assist in GI infection fighting. Conclusions: The results support eradication of H. pylori as a component of the nutrition and lifestyle intervention of Type 2 Diabetes. Additional research is needed to further identify the components of successful treatment regimens.
Association of Previous Concussion with Hippocampal Volume and Symptoms in Collegiate-Aged Athletes.

There is concern that previous concussion and contact-sport exposure may have negative effects on brain structure and function. Accurately quantifying previous concussion is complicated by the fact...
Sustained brain response to repeated drug cues is associated with poor drug-use outcomes.

A threefold increase in fatal cocaine overdoses during the past decade highlights the critical lack of medications for cocaine use disorders. The brain response to drug cues can predict future drug use; however, results have been mixed. We present preliminary evidence that a sustained response to repeated cocaine cues within a single task is a significant predictor of drug-use outcomes. Seventy-three cocaine inpatients were administered a passive-viewing fMRI task, featuring 500 ms novel evocative (cocaine, sexual, aversive) and neutral comparator cues in the first half (Half1), which were then repeated in the second half (Half2). After the baseline scan, patients received eight outpatient treatment weeks with twice-weekly drug screens. Drug-use outcome groups were empirically defined based on cocaine-positive or missing urines averaged across the outpatient phase: GOOD ( 85%), and Intermediate (INT, between 40% and 85%) outcomes. Differences of response to initial (Half1) and repeated (Half2) cues in a priori (cue-reactive) regions were tested between outcome groups (3 [Group] × 2 [Halves] ANOVA). An interaction was found in the brain response to drug (but not sex or aversive) cues, with a significant difference between the GOOD and POOR outcome groups in Half2, driven by a significant decrease in brain response by the GOOD outcome group and a sustained brain response by the POOR outcome group, to repeated cocaine cues. The brain response to repeated drug cues may be a useful predictor of future drug use, encouraging future intervention studies to restore a "healthy" (decreasing) response to the repeated presentation of drug cues.
Health Information Technology and Electronic Health Records

This chapter emphasizes the importance of addressing health information technology (Health IT) through the lens of the Quality Health Outcomes Model (QHOM). The chapter begins with a review of the environmental context that propelled the rapid expansion of Health IT across the USA due to significant regulatory changes. These changes have been both positive and negative in terms of impact on clinical processes and outcomes. The QHOM model is used to describe methods to address the negatives and optimize technology through the use of quality improvement tools, along with advances in competencies needed by the healthcare clinicians to achieve the vision of a genuinely interoperable Health IT infrastructure nationwide.
Introducing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and a New Era of Racing Regulation

The journal article discusses the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act . This act was passed by Congress at the end of 2020 and fundamentally changes how thoroughbred racing will be regulated in the United States.
Hip and Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women with and without Urgency and Frequency Predominant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Background Urgency and frequency are common lower urinary tract symptoms (UF-LUTS) in women. There is limited evidence to guide physical therapist-led treatment. Objectives To compare hip and pelvic floor muscle strength between women with and without UF-LUTS. We hypothesized women with UF-LUTS would demonstrate 1) diminished hip external rotator and abductor strength and 2) equivalent pelvic floor strength and diminished endurance compared to controls. Study design A matched case-control study. Methods Women with UF-LUTS (cases) and controls were matched on age, body mass index (BMI), vaginal parity. Examiner measured participants' 1) hip external rotator and abductor strength via dynamometry (maximum voluntary effort against fixed resistance) and 2) pelvic floor muscle strength (peak squeeze pressure) and endurance (squeeze pressure over a 10 second hold) via vaginal manometry. Values compared between cases and controls with paired-sample t-tests (hip) or Wilcoxon signed rank tests (pelvic floor). Results 21 pairs (42 women): Hip external rotation (67.0 ± 19.0 N vs 83.6 ± 21.5 N; P=0.005) and hip abduction strength (163.1 ± 48.1 N vs 190.1 ± 53.1 N; P=0.04) were significantly lower in cases than controls. There was no significant difference in pelvic floor strength (36.8 ± 19.9 cmH20 vs 41.8 ± 21.0 cmH20; P=0.40) or endurance (234.0 ± 149.6 cmH20*seconds vs 273.4 ± 149.1 cmH20*seconds; P=0.24). Conclusion Women with UF-LUTS had weaker hip external rotator and abductor muscles, but similar pelvic floor strength and endurance compared to controls. Hip strength may be important to assess in patients with UF-LUTS, further research is needed.
Amebic meningoencephalitis

Amebic meningoencephalitis is an uncommon infection of the central nervous system (CNS), the consequences of which are devastating in the vast majority of patients. Although it is fortunate that few individuals are affected by the infection, with such a low incidence of the disease it has been difficult to develop and test treatment approaches that, with the appropriate implementation, could be broadly effective. As might be expected, the currently available information suggests the possibility that early diagnosis and treatment can result in improved survival and possible recovery. It is also possible that some ameba families and strains may be less pathogenic than others. In order to initiate potentially effective interventions during the early stages, it is necessary to be aware of the clinical and epidemiologic features that distinguish primary from secondary CNS amebic infection and of the various organisms that are associated with these forms of disease. This is not only true for patients with the more classical presentations of these infectious syndromes but also for those who are “culture negative” for common human CNS pathogens. Such information would assist greatly in further delineating the etiopathogenesis and spectrum of disease that is associated with amebic infection of the CNS, as well as potentially effective therapies.
Lowering the Learning Curve: Intraoperative Automated Radiographic Visualization Tool Allows for Higher Accuracy of Cam Lesion Resection When Used By Novice Surgeon For Arthroscopic Femoroplasty.

Purpose To compare the accuracy of conventional fluoroscopy versus an intraoperative radiographic visualization tool in assisting a novice and experienced hip arthroscopist in comprehensive cam correction to a desired alpha angle (AA). Methods A cadaveric study was performed using 28 hemi-pelvises with cam-type deformity (AA > 55˚) measured on anteroposterior, lateral, and Dunn-view radiographs. Two fellowship-trained hip arthroscopists each performed 14 arthroscopic femoroplasties. The specimens were randomly assigned: 14 of the procedures were performed by the experienced surgeon, with 7 using the automated radiographic visualization tool (Guided Femoroplasty) and 7 using routine fluoroscopy (Control). The same number of hips was assigned to the novice surgeon, completing 7 femoroplasties with and without the visualization tool. Each hip was imaged before and after femoroplasty in 6 different positions using intraoperative fluoroscopy to evaluate head-neck offset. Femoroplasty AAs were compared between groups with and without visualization tool use, as well as between surgeons. One-way analysis of variance analysis was performed to evaluate the consistency of cam resection. Results For the experienced hip arthroscopist, comparison of Guide Femoroplasty and Control groups resulted in similar accuracy when compared to the controls, with post-femoroplasty AA averages ranging from 41.4° ± 3.8˚ to 44.8° ± 2.8˚ (P = .511) and 40.2° ± 5.3˚ to 45.6° ± 2.2˚ (P = .225), respectively. For the novice hip arthroscopist, the Guided Femoroplasty group had higher accuracy, with post-femoroplasty AA averages ranging from 42.8° ± 2.6˚ to 46.1° ± 7.2˚(P = .689) with and 39.8° ± 3.1˚ to 51.9° ± 8.1˚ (P = .001) without the visualization tool. Comparison of procedure time did not show any statistically significant difference between the use of the radiographic visualization tool and controls for either surgeon (P > .05 for all). Conclusions Femoroplasty with and without the use of automated radiographic visualization tool results in accurate cam resection when used by both the experienced and novice surgeon. However, higher accuracy was observed when resecting to a desired AA performed by a novice surgeon using the visualization tool. Additionally, use of the visualization tool did not result in longer procedure times for either surgeon. Clinical Relevance The impact of incomplete cam resections and over-resection on patient outcomes in the literature has led to the recent development of automated intraoperative radiographic visualization tools that allow for assistance of cam resection accuracy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. This cadaveric study demonstrates that femoroplasty with the use of an intraoperative automated radiographic visualization tool may result in more accurate cam resections.
MicroED for the study of protein–ligand interactions and the potential for drug discovery

Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is an electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) technique used to determine molecular structures with crystals that are a millionth the size needed for traditional single-crystal X-ray crystallography. An exciting use of MicroED is in drug discovery and development, where it can be applied to the study of proteins and small molecule interactions, and for structure determination of natural products. The structures are then used for rational drug design and optimization. In this Perspective, we discuss the current applications of MicroED for structure determination of protein–ligand complexes and potential future applications in drug discovery. Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) can determine the structure of proteins from crystals that are orders of magnitude smaller than those used by X-ray methods. Here, the application of MicroED to protein–ligand complexes is reviewed.
Flavorings and other value-added products from sucrose

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of biotechnology to produce value-added products from sucrose. It focuses on the use of enzymes to convert sucrose into oligosaccharides or polysaccharides suitable for food use. The last half of the 20th century saw many rapid developments in food technology, including many based on carbohydrate biotechnology. One of the most significant was the introduction of corn syrup-based sweeteners, especially high-fructose corn syrup. The product depends heavily on enzyme technology, including amylases and xylose isomerase. Another area that developed during that period was the introduction of microbial gums to replace the more traditional plant-based gums. Xanthan and gellan have taken over a huge share of the market, with a resultant decrease in market shares for gums tragacanth, ghatti, karaya, and so on. The latter half of the 20th century saw the introduction of artificial, non-caloric sweeteners and the next decade will see an increasing interest in sweeteners that exhibit a slow release of carbohydrate into the bloodstream. The first of the low-glycemic index (low-GI) sweeteners have been introduced in the form of carbohydrates. More can be expected in the future.
Nonlinearity and facilitation in phosphoinositide signaling studied by the use of caged inositol trisphosphate in Xenopus oocytes.

The phosphoinositide signaling pathway, which mediates neurotransmitter responses, was studied in Xenopus oocytes by recording membrane currents evoked using lightflash photolysis of caged inositol trisphosphate (caged IP3) to produce rapid and reproducible transients in intracellular IP3 levels. Photolysis of caged IP3 evoked currents which were carried largely by chloride ions and depended upon intracellular, but not extracellular, calcium. A given light flash evoked larger responses when the amount of caged IP3 loaded into the oocyte was increased, and illumination of the vegetal hemisphere gave larger responses than the animal. Long (10 sec) light exposures produced oscillatory currents, resembling responses to serotonin and other agonists, which became larger, more transient, and of shorter latency as the light intensity was increased. Brief (ca. 100 msec) flashes evoked a single “spike” of current. The caged IP3 response showed a threshold, in that light flashes had to be greater than a certain intensity and duration before currents could be detected. Associated with this, sub- and suprathreshold light flashes caused a long-lasting (seconds or minutes) potentiation of responses to subsequent test flashes. The lightflash response was also potentiated by a preceding intracellular injection of IP3 and by extracellular application of an agonist thought to induce IP3 liberation. However, intracellular injections of calcium depressed the response. We conclude that the liberation of calcium from intracellular stores varies nonlinearly with the intracellular level of IP3. This phenomenon may explain earlier observations, including the long latency of currents evoked by low doses of agonists such as acetylcholine and serotonin, and the nonlinear facilitation seen between these agonists. Further, it suggests a mechanism for “chemical integration,” which may be important in the functioning of neurons and other cells which use IP3 as an intracellular messenger.
Electroacoustical research and acoustical calibrations at INMS

INMS has the responsibility over a wide spectrum of Primary Standards that are maintained in Canada, and has a leadership role in national and international standards activities. The Institute also provides calibration services that are traceable to the Primary Standards. The aim is to present a concise picture on the current research on electroacoustics and the calibration and standards activities within INMS. The Acoustical Standards Group which is one of the ten groups in INMS, is responsible for the maintenance of the Primary Acoustical Standards and has been given a new mandate to develop Ultrasound Standards
Convergent evolution of crystallin gene regulation in squid and chicken: The AP-1/ARE connection

Previous experiments have shown that the minimal promoters required for function of the squid SL20-1 and SL11 crystallin genes in transfected rabbit lens epithelial cells contain an overlapping AP-1/antioxidant responsive element (ARE) upstream of the TATA box. This region resembles the PL-1 and PL-2 elements of the chicken beta B1-crystallin promoter which are essential for promoter function in transfected primary chicken lens epithelial cells. Here we demonstrate by site-directed mutagenesis that the AP-1/ARE sequence is essential for activity of the squid SL20-1 and SL11 promoters in transfected embryonic chicken lens cells and fibroblasts. Promoter activity was higher in transfected lens cells than in fibroblasts. Electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase protection experiments demonstrated the formation of numerous complexes between nuclear proteins of the embryonic chicken lens and the AP-1/ARE sequences of the squid SL20-1 and SL11 crystallin promoters. One of these complexes comigrated and cross-competed with that formed with the PL-1 element of the chicken beta B1-crystallin promoter. This complex formed with nuclear extracts from the lens, heart, brain, and skeletal muscle of embryonic chickens and was eliminated by competition with a consensus AP-1 sequence. The nonfunctional mutant AP-1/ARE sequences did not compete for complex formation. These data raise the intriguing possibility that entirely different, nonhomologous crystallin genes of the chicken and squid have convergently evolved a similar cis-acting regulatory element (AP-1/ARE) for high expression in the lens.
Symposium review: biology, ecology and life history of bluefish

s of all talks are available on the AFS website (www.fisheries.org) and extended summaries are available on the IMCS-Rutgers website (http:// marine.rutgers.edu/cmer/bluefish).
The Spread of Innovations Through Social Learning

Innovations often spread by the communication of information among potential adopters. In the marketing literature, the standard model of new product diffusion is generated by information contagion: agents adopt once they hear about the existence of the product from someone else. In social learning models, by contrast, an agent adopts only when the perceived advantage of the innovation - as revealed by the actions and experiences of prior adopters - exceeds a threshold determined by the agent's prior beliefs. We demonstrate that learning with heterogeneous priors generates adoption curves that have an analytically tractable, closed-form solution. Moreover there is a simple statistical test that discriminates between this type of process and a contagion model. Applied to Griliches' classic results on the adoption of hybrid corn, this test shows that learning with heterogeneous priors does a considerably better job of explaining the data than does the contagion model.
Free-free absorption of infrared radiation in collisions of electrons with neutral rare-gas atoms

A relationship between the inverse bremsstrahlung absorption cross section and the electron neutral momentum transfer cross section has been utilized to determine the infrared free-free continuum absorption coefficient for the negative ions of helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. The values of the momentum transfer cross section for this calculation have been obtained from experimental measurements. Analytical expressions for the absorption coefficient have also been developed. From the results of this calculation, it is possible to determine the absorption coefficient per unit electron density per neutral atom for temperatures in the range from 2500 to 25,000 K. The results are compared with those from tabulations of previous calculations and those computed from theoretical values of the phase shifts for the elastic scattering of electrons by neutral atoms.
Slow-light diffraction from EIT enhanced nonlinear grating

We report an experimental study of slow light diffraction from a resonant nonlinear grating in cold Rb atoms. Alternatively, the diffracted light can be viewed as generated from an EIT enhanced six-wave mixing process
Polarization Dependent Ge and Si (111)2x1 Surface State Optical Absorption: A Test of surface Reconstruction Models

The room temperature (111) cleavage faces of silicon and germanium are known to reconstruct to a metastable 2x1 unit cell, with period doubling along one of the three equivalent directions on the surface. The mechanism behind this doubling of the unit cell has been the subject of much inquiry, with numerous models proposed to explain the various experimental results. Many of the results which have been used to distinguish among competing reconstruction models require extensive calculations for this process. Photoemission, ion backscattering, and LEED all require the assumption of a specific atomic configuration to generate theoretical results with which to compare the experimental data. The polarization dependence of the surface optical absorption, however, is a consequence of the overall symmetry of the dangling-bond orbitals, and does not require exact knowledge of the atomic positions to allow comparison with a class of models. As we will discuss below, the angular dependence of the dipole matrix element is different for the various models, making the polarization-dependent dangling-bond absorption a crucial test of these models.
Localization of the Gene Coding for a 26-kDa Mitochondrial Protein Detected in Low Temperature-Stored Potato Tubers

Summary Potato tubers of high sugar and low sugar accumulating cultivars were stored at 3 °C for three months. Mitochondria were isolated and their proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/sodium dodecylsulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. (2D-IEF/SDS-PAGE). A 26-kDa polypeptide, detected only in cold-treated tubers of the high sugar accumulating cultivars, was isolated and chemically split into oligopeptides by cyanogen bromide. (CNBr). The resulting fragments were resolved by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. (HPLC). Partial amino-terminal sequences of two of the oligopeptides were obtained. The corresponding DNA oligomers were synthesized and used as primers in polymerase chain reactions. (PCR) with mitochondrial DNA. (mtDNA) from high sugar and low sugar cultivars/selections. One of the amplified sequences was unique to the low sugar cultivars/selections suggesting a difference in the mtDNA structure between high sugar and low sugar potato genotypes in that area and localization of a copy of the gene in the mitochondrial genome.
Interplay of Nuclear Factor-κB and B-myb in the Negative Regulation of Androgen Receptor Expression by Tumor Necrosis Factor α

Increased androgen receptor (AR) levels are associated with prostate cancer progression to androgen independence and therapy resistance. Evidence has suggested that chronic inflammation is closely linked to various cancers including prostate cancer. Herein we show that the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα negatively regulates AR mRNA and protein expression and reduces androgen sensitivity in androgen-dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Decreased AR expression results from transcription repression involving essential in cis interaction of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) with the B-myb transcription factor at a composite genomic element in the 5′-untranslated region of AR. The negative regulation was abrogated when NF-κB activity was inhibited by a superrepressor of the inhibitory κB protein. In contrast, androgen-independent C4-2 (LNCaP-derived) cells fail to show AR down-regulation by TNFα, despite expression of B-myb and TNFα-induced NF-κB activity similar to that in LNCaP cells. The negatively regulated...
Saltwater Anglers' Attitudes towards Marine Protected Areas

Abstract Attempts to establish “no-take” marine reserves in the United States have engendered strong opposition from sportfishing interest groups. This study investigated northeastern saltwater anglers' attitudes towards several hypothetical marine protected area (MPA) alternatives. Support for MPAs decreased with increasing level of restrictiveness. Anglers attitudes towards the establishment of “catch-and-release” MPAs were somewhat divided. The majority of those surveyed were opposed to “no-take” reserves. If “no-take” reserves are to be accepted by anglers, managers need to convince them of the advantages of incorporating this innovative management tool over more traditional fishery regulations alone. Anglers were more opposed to MPAs that restrict recreational fishing within state waters as compared to similar MPAs sited in federal waters. In general, anglers from New York and New Jersey held more favorable MPA attitudes than did anglers from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Anglers wh...
How does peripheral lipopolysaccharide induce gene expression in the brain of rats

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the principal cell-wall component of gram-negative bacteria, is responsible for alterations in the central and peripheral tissues associated with gram-negative infections. However, the mechanism by which peripheral LPS cause central effects is not fully known. This study showed that peripheral LPS sequentially increased IL-1β and iNOS mRNA levels, NO2 level, and CRF mRNA level in the hypothalamic PVN, and corticosterone concentration in blood. Brain-endothelium, but not hypothalamic PVN samples, from LPS injected rats contained ions for LPS lipids, bound BODIPY-LPS (bLPS), and expressed TLR-4, TLP-2 and CD14 mRNAs. This suggests that (1) LPS does not cross the blood–brain barrier, and (2) brain-endothelial cells contain LPS binding sites, TLR-4, TLR-2 and CD14. Systemic LPS injection increased [ 14 C ]sucrose uptake, but did not affect [ 14 C ]dextran uptake into the brain. Thus, when injected systemically, LPS binds to its receptor and enter the endothelial cells where it increase BBB permeation in a mass-selective manner and triggers a series of signaling events leading to the development of inflammatory response in the brain.
A degradation mode of a carbon steel during thermal cycling under a simulated combustion environment

The degradation of A210C carbon steel has been investigated at 560 °C under a simulated coal-firing combustion environment. The simulation was performed by direct introduction into the chamber of flue gas from a freeboard of a coal-fired fluidized-bed combustor (FBC) and meanwhile by covering part of samples using ash deposits collected from the FBC freeboard wall. It shows that oxidation is significantly increased, when the steel is covered with ash deposits. During thermal cycling, the accelerated metal recession in the presence of deposits can be interpreted using a proposed degradation mode, which follows a sequence of scale wrinkling, buckling, and finally spalling. The effect of ash deposits on the steel degradation is also discussed.
Fear-Appeal Messages Message Processing and Affective Attitudes

Theories of fear appeals suggest that fear-inducing messages can be effective, but public service announcements (PSAs) that emphasize fear do not always lead to desired change in behavior. To better understand how fear-inducing PSAs are processed, an experiment testing the effects of exposure to safe-driving messages is reported. College students (N = 108) viewed PSAs of varying message sensation value (MSV). Results indicated that messages with medium MSV resulted in intentions to drive more slowly than messages with low or high MSV. Measures of affective attitudes indicated that medium MSV messages resulted in fast driving being rated as less fun and exciting than those of either high or low MSV. These affective evaluations mediated the effect of message exposure on driving intention. Message derogation was not related to message intensity. Production of message-related thoughts decreased, and emotional thoughts increased with message intensity. This decrease in processing of message content suggested a...
Effect of water deficit stress on 11 native Fragaria chiloensis clones selected as ornamental groundcovers

Abstract Eleven Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duch. genotypes were used in a comparative study to evaluate predawn water potential (ψ) and physiological recovery after an imposed water deficit stress. Originally collected from sites along the California and Oregon coasts, these clones had previously been screened for their potential as ornamental groundcovers. Initial predawn ψ were similar across controls (well watered) and treatments. At the completion of the first 12 day water deficit stress cycle, clones 105, STR, Q18 and DNT had ψ of − 1.2 MPa, − 0.87 MPa, − 0.87 MPa and − 0.65 MPa, respectively, significantly higher than clones T03, S19 and O15 with ψ of − 3.5 MPa, − 3.5 MPa and − 3.1 MPa, respectively. When the second 12 day water deficit stress cycle was complete, all treatment clones except DNT and STR were significantly more stressed than control clones. There were no differences among clones within the treatment group. Predawn ψ was strongly correlated with assimilation on a leaf area basis ( A LA ) after the first ( r = 0.87) and second ( r = 0.83) water deficit stress cycles. After the first 40 day recovery period there were no differences among clones in the treatment group in total number of runners, daughter plant number or runner length. However, differences were observed in all three parameters among clones in the control group. At the completion of the second 40 day recovery period, treatment clone I05 produced significantly more runners than clones STR, Q18, TOT and FV and more daughter plants than clones Q18, TOT and FV. Clone O15 produced longer runners than Q18, TOT and FV. Genotypic differences in runner number, daughter plant number and runner length were again seen in the control group. This study demonstrated differences in both predawn ψ and above ground biomass production of 11 F. chiloensis clones after two imposed water deficit stress/recovery cycles as well as a strong relationship between predawn ψ and A LA .
Regulation of aldosterone production during pregnancy in the rat.

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and in vitro aldosterone production were determined in two strains of rats given normal and low sodium diets during pregnancy. The effects of sodium deprivation on the fetal renin—aldosterone system was also examined. In one strain of rats, PRA was not increased during pregnancy, but was increased during sodium depletion. Aldosterone production increased during pregnancy, but changed no further during sodium depletion. In the second strain of rats, both PRA and aldosterone production increased during pregnancy and were not further stimulated by sodium depletion. Fetal aldosterone production was increased by maternal sodium depletion in both strains, whereas, renal renin content remained unchanged. Plasma K in the mother was increased in pregnancy and increased further with sodium depletion. These data suggest that increased plasma K may be the stimulant for increased aldosterone production observed during pregnancy in the rat, and may also be a controlling factor in fetal aldos...
Cbp1 is required for translation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b mRNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Expression of the yeast mitochondrial cytochromeb gene (COB) is controlled by at least 15 nuclear-encoded proteins. One of these proteins, Cbp1, is required forCOB mRNA stability. Δcbp1 null strains fail to accumulate mature COB mRNA and cannot respire. Since Δcbp1 null strains lack mature COBtranscripts, the hypothesis that Cbp1 also plays a role in translation of these mRNAs could not be tested previously. 5′-End trimming of precursor COB RNA and other mitochondrial transcripts is dependent on Pet127. pet127 mutants accumulate high levels of precursor COB mRNA and have no mature mRNA.pet127 mutants respire well; this phenotype implies thatCOB precursor RNA is translated efficiently. With the expectation that a Δcbp1Δpet127 strain might accumulate substantial levels of COB RNA, the double null strain was constructed and analyzed to test the hypothesis that Cbp1 is required for translation of COB RNA. TheΔcbp1Δpet127 strain does accumulate levels ofCOB precursor mRNA that are ∼60% of the level ofCOB mRNA in the wild-type strain. However, cytochromeb protein is not synthesized, and thus theΔcbp1Δpet127 strain does not respire. These results suggest that Cbp1 is required for translation of COBRNAs.
Using Generalizability Theory to Evaluate the Applicability of a Serial Bayes Model in Estimating the Positive Predictive Value of Multiple Psychological or Medical Tests

Introduction: It is a common finding that despite high levels of specificity and sensitivity, many medical tests are not highly effective in diagnosing diseases exhibiting a low prevalence within a clinical population. What is not widely known or appreciated is how the results of retesting a patient using the same or a different medical or psychological test impacts the estimated probability that a patient has a particular disease. In the absence of a ‘gold standard’ spe-cial techniques are required to understand the error structure of a medical test. Generalizability can provide guid-ance as to whether a serial Bayes model accurately updates the positive predictive value of multiple test results. Methods: In order to understand how sources of error impact a test’s outcome, test results should be sampled across the testing conditions that may contribute to error. A generalizability analysis of appropriately sampled test results should allow researchers to estimate the influence of each error source as a variance component. These results can then be used to determine whether, or under what conditions, the assumption of test independence can be approximately satisfied, and whether Bayes theorem accurately updates probabilities upon retesting. Results: Four hypothetical generalizability study outcomes are displayed as variance component patterns. Each pattern has a different practical implication related to achieving independence between test results and deriving an enhanced PPV through retesting an individual patient. Discussion: The techniques demonstrated in this article can play an important role in achieving an enhanced positive predictive value in medical and psychological diagnostic testing and can help ensure greater confidence in a wide range of testing contexts.
Pleiotropic Mutations in the HIV-1 Matrix Protein That Affect Diverse Steps in Replication

The matrix domain of the Gag precursor protein, and the mature matrix protein, which is derived from processing of the Gag precursor, functions in several steps of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) life cycle. We made numerous mutations throughout the matrix protein and identified three mutants in the N-terminal portion of the matrix that drastically diminish the ability of the virus to replicate. Each of these replication-defective mutants was unable to acquire efficiently the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1. To determine whether these same mutations affect other steps in viral replication we pseudotyped mutant particles with the envelope glycoprotein from an amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Each of these mutants was also hampered in other steps in virus replication. Two mutants were defective in entry or uncoating, and the third was hampered in a step following reverse transcription. Since viral replication was analyzed under conditions in which the nuclear localization function of the matrix protein is not required, the matrix protein may be required for an additional replication step following reverse transcription.
Discretionary Fiscal Policy and the European Monetary Union

A model of circumstances that can lead to changes in the way a fiscal authority conducts policy after joining a monetary union is presented and empirically tested for the euro area. According to the model consolidation fatigue, shock asymmetry, or differences in the relative weight placed on output/price stabilization between the new and old monetary authority can lead to greater reliance on fiscal policy. Empirical evidence suggests that there has been a change in the conduct of fiscal policy in the euro area which is most likely due to consolidation fatigue and a stronger emphasis on price stabilization by the European Central Bank.