cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Barebacking identity among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men: demographic, psychological, and behavioral correlates.

The objectives were to determine the correlates associated with barebacking identity among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. An analysis of data from the baseline quantitative assessment of a randomized controlled intervention study of 1168 HIV-positive gay and bisexual men from New York City and San Francisco. Methods: Participants were actively and passively recruited from mainstream gay venues AIDS service organizations and public and commercial sex environments. Participants completed a computerized quantitative questionnaire assessing their identity as a barebacker sexual behavior demographic factors psychosocial states perceptions of health risks and substance use. Men of color were less likely to identify themselves as barebackers. Men who did identify themselves as barebackers were slightly younger. They were more likely to miss a dose of medication; report drug use (non-injection and injection); exhibit higher levels of sexual compulsivity and lower personal responsibility for safer sex; and report higher rates of unprotected insertive anal intercourse unprotected receptive anal intercourse and unprotected insertive oral intercourse with all partners regardless of their HIV serostatus. Barebacking and its corresponding behaviors pose immediate public health risks for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. Further work is needed to understand this phenomenon more fully in relation to the psychological sociological biomedical and cultural realities. (authors)
Behavioral Control of Cigarette Smoking: A Comprehensive Program

Cigarette smoking has been a behavioral enigma. Single treatment techniques, when successful, are usually plagued by high recidivism rates and “practical” insignificance. Two recent developments, rapid smoking and comprehensive behavioral programming, hold promise for the eventual behavioral control of smoking. This study describes one such program and presents some preliminary findings.
Palladium(II) complexes of the tricyanomethanide ion

Abstract A series of palladium(II)-tricyanomethanide complexes of the type [PdL2(NCC(CN)2)2] (L = P (C6H5)3, As(C6H5)3, (C6H5)2P(CH2)2P(C6H5)2/2. 5-nitro-1, 10-phenanthroline, pyridine) has been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding dichloro complex with Ag[C(CN)3] in acetone. The reaction of PdCl2 with K[C(CN)3] in ethanol produced only the monochloro complex K2[Pd(NCC(CN)2)3Cl]. All of the complexes were found to contain N-bonded tricyanomethanide groups, on the basis of solid state infrared spectral data. Visible spectral data are also reported for the complexes.
Mechanisms underlying reversal of motor unit activation order in electrically evoked contractions after spinal cord injury

Extracellular stimulation normally activates larger-diameter axons, innervating motor units producing higher force, at lower stimulation intensities than required to activate small-diameter axons innervating motor units producing low force. However, activation of weaker thenar motor units at lower stimulation intensities than required to activate strong motor units has been reported during extracellular stimulation of the median nerve in persons with chronic cervical spinal cord injury. We used a computational model that reproduced this experiment to identify the potential mechanisms for the observed reversal of the inverse recruitment order, including preferential death of large motoneurons, demyelination and remyelination, and denervation and reinnervation of muscle fibers. Five sets of simulations assessed these mechanisms with seven simulated subjects. Preferential reinnervation, with small-diameter axons reinnervating more abandoned muscle fibers than larger-diameter axons, accounted for the apparent reversal of the inverse recruitment order observed previously. Preferential death of larger axons enhanced the reversal, but alone could not account for the observed reversal. Further, demyelination and remyelination, even in an extreme case and when combined with preferential death of large motoneurons, could not reproduce the reversal of inverse recruitment order. Thus, the apparent reversal of the inverse recruitment order was not a reversal of activation order across different diameter nerve fibers, but rather was a consequence of the redistributed force-generating capacity of the motor units resulting from denervation and reinnervation.
Omnigraphics Reference Books: A Review

The current editors of Public Library Quarterly often receive books to review from different publishers. No publisher, however, has been more attentive to the task of sending us materials to review...
Total proctocolectomy and ileoanal pouch: the role of contrast studies for evaluating postoperative leaks

Background: To assess the role of contrast enemas for the evaluation of leaks in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after the first stage of restorative proctocolectomy. Methods: We reviewed the findings of 59 contrast enemas in 40 patients who underwent total proctocolectomy with creation of an ileoanal pouch and a proximal diverting ileostomy. Thirty-seven patients initially underwent routine contrast studies of the ileoanal pouch, and three underwent contrast studies because of suspected fistulas or obstruction. Medical records were also reviewed to determine the clinical presentation and course of these patients. Results: Of 37 patients who underwent routine postoperative contrast enemas, 33 (89%) had normal studies, three (8%) had clinically silent leaks (including two blind-ending tracks from the ileoanal anastomosis and one from the pouch), and one (3%) had pouchitis. In all three patients with unsuspected leaks, ileostomy closure was delayed. In two other patients with abdominal pain and fever, contrast enemas revealed leaks from the ileoanal pouch and distal ileum, respectively. The remaining patient had a contrast enema because of abdominal pain and distention; this patient had a distal ileal obstruction due to adhesions. Conclusions: Routine postoperative contrast studies revealed clinically silent leaks from the ileal J pouch or ileoanal anastomosis in three of 37 patients (8%) after the first stage of restorative proctocolectomy. Our findings suggest that routine contrast enema can detect clinically silent leaks after this surgery.
The effect of the monocarboxylate translocator inhibitor, alpha-cyanocinnamate, on the oxidation of branched chain alpha-keto acids in rat liver.

Abstract The metabolic flux through the branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complex was studied in rat liver mitochondria using α-keto[1- 14 C]isovalerate and α-keto-[1- 14 C]isocaproate as substrates. Experiments demonstrated that branched chain α-keto acids must be transported across the mitochondrial membrane prior to decarboxylation. Approximately 60% of this transport is inhibited by the monocarboxylate translocator inhibitor, α-cyanocinnamate. Evidence is presented indicating that α-ketoisocaproate and α-ketoisovalerate may be transported across the mitochondrial membrane on a α-cyanocinnamate-insensitive carrier. In contrast to the case with pyruvate transport, the transport of the branched chain α-keto acids does not occur by passive diffusion even at elevated concentrations. The inhibitory effect of α-cyanocinnamate on the metabolic flux through the branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase in the isolated perfused rat liver was nearly identical to that seen in liver mitochondria.
Evaluation of the female urethra with intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for in vivo assessment of the female urethra and to determine the anatomy of the urethra and periurethral attachments as depicted using an endourethral MR coil. Twenty-three continent volunteers were studied with a 14F endourethral MR coil. Intraurethral MRI allowed detailed visualization and measurements of the muscular layers of the urethral sphincter and permitted the evaluation of supporting ligaments. This technique may become useful in the evaluation of anatomical defects associated with female urethral sphincter deficiency. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:153–159. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Room-temperature single-photon sources: design, performance, and applications

Single photon sources are key devices for optical quantum information processing, miniaturized optical elements, as well as light standards. Several systems have been exploited so far such as semiconductor quantum dots, defect centers in diamond, alkali atoms, and parametric down-conversion sources. In this contribution we will review some of these sources and highlight their unique properties with respect to applications in quantum information processing. A focus lies on two different room temperature sources based on cavity-enhanced parametric downconversion and on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
Formalism for integrating machine vision systems: hierarchical token grouping

While the view of constructive and hierarchial vision prevails, the issues of cooperation and competition among individual modules become crucial. These issues are directly related to one of the most important aspects in computer vision research: integration. A major source of difficulty in developing a consistent and systematic integration formalism is the heterogeneity existing in modules, in information, and in knowledge. In this paper, we exploit, using the central theme of grouping, the homogeneous characteristics in vision problem solving and propose a general framework, called Hierarchial Token Grouping, that facilitates vision problem solving by providing a consistent and systematic environment for integrating modules, cues, and knowledge, all in a globally coherent mechanism.
Low tryptophan diet decreases brain serotonin and alters response to apomorphine

The role of the serotoninergic system in the regulation of apomorphine-induced behavior, a behavior primarily controlled by dopaminergic neurotransmission, was investigated in rats fed on a low tryptophan diet since weaning. It was found that reductions in brain seritonin (5-HT) produced by diet result in decreased stereotypy after apomorphine administration. This indicates that although stereotyped behavior is primarily mediated by dopaminergic mechanisms, it can also be modulated by other neurotransmitter including 5-HT. It was also shown that changes in brain seritonin levels can affect psychomotor stimulant-induced hypothermia.
Fluorescence spectroscopic probing of two distinctive microenvironments in perfluorinated ionomer membranes

Ethidium bromide was used as fluorescent molecular probe in the understanding of structural properties of Nafion, Dow Chemical, and sulfonimide ionomer membranes. The fluorescence lifetime results show that the probe is located in the interfacial region of the membrane structure, and that the interfacial region is inhomogeneous, consisting of two distinct subsections of different hydrophilicities. The ionomer membranes under consideration have similar structural properties with respect to the ethidium cation probing, despite the fact that their corresponding ionomers have different molecular structures. The fluorescence lifetime results also show that there are considerable mobilities throughout the interfacial region, which allow diffusional quenching processes. Finally, results of effects of hydrothermally stressing Nafion membrane at elevated temperatures on structural properties of the membrane are discussed.
Dynamic rule-ordering optimization for high-speed firewall filtering

Packet filtering plays a critical role in many of the current high speed network technologies such as firewalls and IPSec devices. The optimization of firewall policies is critically important to provide high performance packet filtering particularly for high speed network security. Current packet filtering techniques exploit the characteristics of the filtering policies, but they do not consider the traffic behavior in optimizing their search data structures. This results in impractically high space complexity, which undermines the performance gain offered by these techniques. Also, these techniques offer upper bounds for the worst case search times; nevertheless, average case scenarios are not necessarily optimized. Moreover, the types of packet filtering fields used in most of these techniques are limited to IP header fields and cannot be generalized to cover transport and application layer filtering.In this paper, we present a novel technique that utilizes Internet traffic characteristics to optimize firewall filtering policies. The proposed technique timely adapts to the traffic conditions using actively calculated statistics to dynamically optimize the ordering of packet filtering rules. The rule importance in traffic matching as well as its dependency on other rules are both considered in our optimization algorithm. Through extensive evaluation experiments using simulated and real Internet traffic traces, the proposed mechanism is shown to be efficient and easy to deploy in practical firewall implementations.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN BLUNT ABDOMINAL TRAUMA

This article discusses studies of the use of ultrasound in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, both in initial assessment and ongoing evaluation. Reviews of studies of children and adults to detect the presence and extent of hemoperitoneum and organ injuries are presented. Ultrasound results are compared with diagnostic peritoneal lavage, computed tomography, clinical course, and autopsy results. The central question addressed is to what extent can ultrasonography replace or supplement other techniques, particularly diagnostic peritoneal lavage, in the assessment of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Ultrasound equipment, technique, scoring scales, limitations, and training issues are also addressed.
Robust Risk Analysis: The Need for it in Nuclear Probabilistic Risk Evaluations

Probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) of nuclear reactor risks has grown considerably since the first major application was performed in 1975. However, PRA today remains an art and is by no means a codified science. The deficiencies and uncertainties in PRA need to be recognized in order for the results and analyses to be meaningfully utilized in decision making. Specific approaches and techniques can be devised to extract the robust conclusions from a PRA which are not sensitive to uncertainties and questionable assumptions. The specific tasks which are identified will strengthen the PRA field if they are carried out.
BioMEMS and Microfluidics

3JM . This sectionshowcases the recent developments in the excitingmultidisciplinary ﬁelds of microﬂuidics and biomedicalmicroelectromechanical systems BioMEMS . Interest inminiaturized analytical systems,such as electrophoresis andhigh-throughput drug discovery instrumentation, stronglyinﬂuenced early developments in microﬂuidics andBioMEMS research.Recent progress in MEMS technologiesnow permits fabrication of structures with feature sizes thatrange from millimeters to nanometers.Today,BioMEMS andmicroﬂuidics applications are quite diverse and are focusedprimarily in three areas: life sciences, point of care Texas at Arlington introduce a two-stage hot embossingPOCmedicine,and environmental applications.In the life sciences,recent research efforts have focusedon bio/chemical analyses, pharmaceutical high-throughputsystems,tissue and cell engineering,and biomaterial surfacemodiﬁcation. Research efforts in POC medicine have beenapplied to proving diagnosis and treatment at the patient’sbedside. Examples include miniaturized drug deliverysystems and multianalyte sensors for blood chemistryanalysis. Finally, in environmental applications, researchershave been focusing on developing inexpensive sensors for
Study on distortion conspicuity in stereoscopically viewed 3D images

We describe a study aimed towards increasing our understanding of the perception of distorted stereoscopic 3D images, by analyzing subjects' performance in locating local distortions in stereoscopically viewed images. Nineteen subjects were recruited for this study. The results indicated that contrast and range variations are correlated with the conspicuity of some distortions, but not others.
Compatibility of intercropping with mechanized agriculture: effects of strip intercropping of pinto beans and sweet corn on insect abundance in Colorado.

The potential for management of insect pest densities by regulation of crop diversity through intercropping was examined in sweet corn and pinto beans. Insect abundance was monitored in corn and beans in alternating multiple-row patterns of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 rows. Insect responses to intercropping treatments were variable, with positive, negative, and neutral responses observed, depending on species of insect and crop. In some cases, insect abundance was affected by strip-intercropping widths of up to eight rows, suggesting that strip intercropping may be compatible with some types of mechanized agriculture.
PRODUCTION OF AN INTERFERON BY L CELLS INFECTED WITH WESTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS

Abstract Lockart, Royce Z., Jr. (The University of Texas, Austin). Production of an interferon by L cells infected with Western equine encephalomyelitis virus. J. Bacteriol. 85:556–566. 1963.—Two strains of Western equine encephalomyelitis virus (WEE), WEE (L+) and WEE (L−), which differed with respect to their cytopathogenicity for L cells were isolated. Both strains reproduced in L cells, and both induced the production of an interferon distinct from virus particles. L-cell monolayers were protected from degeneration by prior addition of interferon. By use of the absence of cytopathic effects (CPE) as an end point, interferon content was assayed. Monolayers failing to show CPE consistently produced less than 2% as much virus as control monolayers, indicating that virus synthesis was also inhibited. The use of this assay method was facilitated by the use of horse serum that appeared to contain antibodies against WEE and that permitted interferon to act selectively in the presence of active virus. It was found that interferon was produced during the time in which active virus was produced, and not significantly later. No interferon could be found in fluids from cells treated with inactive virus, although these are known to act as interfering agents. Interferon production was inhibited by pretreatment of L cells with sufficient amounts of interferon. It is concluded that interferon production is closely connected with WEE virus synthesis in L cells. The question is raised as to whether interferon need be a necessary intermediate for interference in L cells.
The high fidelity and unique error signature of human DNA polymerase ε

Bulk replicative DNA synthesis in eukaryotes is highly accurate and efficient, primarily because of two DNA polymerases (Pols): Pols δ and e. The high fidelity of these enzymes is due to their intrinsic base selectivity and proofreading exonuclease activity which, when coupled with post-replication mismatch repair, helps to maintain human mutation rates at less than one mutation per genome duplication. Conditions that reduce polymerase fidelity result in increased mutagenesis and can lead to cancer in mice. Whereas yeast Pol e has been well characterized, human Pol e remains poorly understood. Here, we present the first report on the fidelity of human Pol e. We find that human Pol e carries out DNA synthesis with high fidelity, even in the absence of its 3'→5' exonucleolytic proofreading and is significantly more accurate than yeast Pol e. Though its spectrum of errors is similar to that of yeast Pol e, there are several notable exceptions. These include a preference of the human enzyme for T→A over A→T transversions. As compared with other replicative DNA polymerases, human Pol e is particularly accurate when copying homonucleotide runs of 4-5 bases. The base pair substitution specificity and high fidelity for frameshift errors observed for human Pol e are distinct from the errors made by human Pol δ.
A Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Study of the Reduced Tio2(110)Surface

The scanning tunneling microscope has been used to image a reduced TiO 2(110) surface in ultrahigh vacuum. Structural units with periodicities ranging from 21 A to 3.4 A have been clearly imaged and the observed surface structures can be explained by a model involving ordered arrangements of two dimensional defects known as crystallographic shear planes. An electronic state 0.5 eV below the conduction band edge, detected in tunneling spectra, has been assigned to reduced Ti cations which reside along the crystallographic shear planes. This state appears to be empty at the surface, possibly due to a small amount of band bending. The results indicate that the topography of nonstoichiometric oxide surfaces can be rather complex and that the tunneling microscope provides an effective tool for studying the atomic scale surface features of wide band gap semiconductors.
Linking synchronization to self-assembly using magnetic Janus colloids

Colloidal Janus spheres in a precessing magnetic field are shown to self-assemble into in-motion microtubes dynamically selected on the basis of synchronization rather than static energy minimization. The new materials-design strategy described here couples self-assembly with synchronization phenomena. (More familiar examples of synchronization include the development of rhythm in applause, the flashing of fireflies and the firing of neurons.) Steve Granick and colleagues create silica 'Janus' particles that are half-coated in nickel to generate magnetic symmetry, and expose them to a rotating magnetic field. At first the particles move individually, but as they are drawn closer together they move in synchrony and self-assemble into microtubes. The resulting assembly can be manipulated to generate different symmetries within a tubular structure, but the structures disintegrate when synchrony is lost. This capacity for in situ assembly, disassembly and reconfigurability might be of use in applications such as selective cargo uptake and transport, and fluid-flow control. Synchronization occurs widely in the natural and technological worlds, from the rhythm of applause and neuron firing1 to the quantum mechanics of coupled Josephson junctions2, but has not been used to produce new spatial structures. Our understanding of self-assembly has evolved independently in the fields of chemistry and materials, and with a few notable exceptions3,4 has focused on equilibrium rather than dynamical systems. Here we combine these two phenomena to create synchronization-selected microtubes of Janus colloids, micron-sized spherical particles with different surface chemistry on their opposing hemispheres, which we study using imaging and computer simulation. A thin nickel film coats one hemisphere of each silica particle to generate a discoid magnetic symmetry, such that in a precessing magnetic field its dynamics retain crucial phase freedom. Synchronizing their motion, these Janus spheres self-organize into micrometre-scale tubes in which the constituent particles rotate and oscillate continuously. In addition, the microtube must be tidally locked to the particles, that is, the particles must maintain their orientation within the rotating microtube. This requirement leads to a synchronization-induced structural transition that offers various applications based on the potential to form, disintegrate and fine-tune self-assembled in-motion structures in situ. Furthermore, it offers a generalizable method of controlling structure using dynamic synchronization criteria rather than static energy minimization, and of designing new field-driven microscale devices in which components do not slavishly follow the external field.
Circuit techniques for a wide world I/O path 64 Meg DRAM

The high rate data transfer between CPU and memory in future high performance systems requires the 64 Meg DRAM and generations beyond to take a new design approach. Fast RAS access time together with a wider I/O path are key DRAM performances indices for achieving high bandwidth CPU-MEMORY data operations. A novel Hierarchical Multi-Datalines (HMD) Architecture with a wide I/O path and high speed circuit design techniques used to implement this architecture in a 64 Meg DRAM are described. >
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Combat Exposure, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Male Twins

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease, though the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. We examined whether PTSD and combat exposure were associated with CIMT in Vietnam War-era twins after controlling for shared genetic and childhood factors. Between 2002 and 2010, we studied 465 middle-aged twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry who were free from cardiovascular disease. PTSD was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, and CIMT was measured by ultrasound. Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine individual, between-pair, and within-pair associations. Approximately 13% of participants met the criteria for PTSD, and 45% served in the Vietnam Theater. PTSD was associated with 32.7 μm higher CIMT (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9, 64.5) after adjustment for confounders. The average CIMT for the pair increased by 59.7 μm for each additional twin with PTSD (95% CI: 15.9, 104.2). We found no significant within-pair differences in CIMT when comparing PTSD-discordant co-twins. Results for combat exposure were similar, but its association with CIMT weakened after adjustment for PTSD (95% CI: 7.0, 45.3). Among Vietnam War-era veterans, combat exposure and PTSD are associated with CIMT, though the associations are largely mediated by shared childhood factors.
Time-diffusion synchronization protocol for wireless sensor networks

In the near future, small intelligent devices will be deployed in homes, plantations, oceans, rivers, streets, and highways to monitor the environment. These devices require time synchronization, so voice and video data from different sensor nodes can be fused and displayed in a meaningful way at the sink. Instead of time synchronization between just the sender and receiver or within a local group of sensor nodes, some applications require the sensor nodes to maintain a similar time within a certain tolerance throughout the lifetime of the network. The Time-Diffusion Synchronization Protocol (TDP) is proposed as a network-wide time synchronization protocol. It allows the sensor network to reach an equilibrium time and maintains a small time deviation tolerance from the equilibrium time. In addition, it is analytically shown that the TDP enables time in the network to converge. Also, simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness of TDP in synchronizing the time throughout the network and balancing the energy consumed by the sensor nodes.
Factors associated with rapid neurological improvement 24 h following intra-arterial thrombolytic treatment for acute ischemic stroke.

Background and Purpose Significant 24 h improvement is the strongest indicator of functional recovery following thrombolytic treatment for acute ischemic stroke. This study sought to analyze factors contributing to rapid neurological improvement (RNI) following intra-arterial thrombolytic treatment (IATT). Methods Angiograms and clinical information derived from consecutive patients receiving treatment initiated within 6 h of stroke onset were retrospectively reviewed. RNI was defined as at least 50% 24 h improvement on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with RNI. Variables tested included: age, gender, serum glucose, platelet count, pial collateral formation, presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, time to treatment, extent of reperfusion, site and location of occlusion, treatment agent and systolic blood pressure. Results Greater than 50% reperfusion of the involved territory, time to treatment within 270 min and good pial collateral formation (large penumbra zone) significantly predicted RNI. RNI occurred in 31% of the 112 patients studied. RNI occurred in 21/26 (80.8%) patients exhibiting all three favorable variables whereas patients with only one favorable variable had a 6.5% chance of RNI. 94% of patients displaying RNI had a modified Rankin Scale score of 2 or less at 3 months compared with 28.6% without RNI. Conclusions RNI following IATT for stroke is more likely when at least two of the following are present: good reperfusion, good pial collateral formation and treatment within 4.5 h of symptom onset, and is strongly predictive of 3 month outcomes. Important to clinical management, IATT may need to be reconsidered in patients with poor pial collateral formation if time to treatment exceeds 4.5 h.
An optimum design method for a three amplifier biquad

The performance characteristics of a three-amplifier biquad current due to W.B. Mikhael and B.R. Battacharyya (1975) are analyzed. The effects of the finite gain-bandwidth (GB) product of the op amps used in the circuit are included. An optimum design method for this filter circuit that will minimize the effects of the GB product is presented. >
Structure and cooperativity of a T-state mutant of histidine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a.

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) from Lactobacillus 30a converts histidine to histamine, a process that enables the bacteria to maintain the optimum pH range for cell growth. HDC is regulated by pH; it is active at low pH and inactive at neutral to alkaline pH. The X-ray structure of HDC at pH 8 revealed that a helix was disordered, resulting in the disruption of the substrate-binding site. The HDC trimer has also been shown to exhibit cooperative kinetics at neutral pH, that is, histidine can trigger a T-state to R-state transition. The D53,54N mutant of HDC has an elevated Km, even at low pH, indicating that the enzyme assumes the low activity T-state. We have solved the structures of the D53,54N mutant at low pH, with and without the substrate analog histidine methyl ester (HME) bound. Structural analysis shows that the apo-D53,54N mutant is in the inactive or T-state and that binding of the substrate analog induces the enzyme to adopt the active or R-state. A mechanism for the cooperative transition is proposed.
Computational identification of Cis -regulatory elements associated with groups of functionally related genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

AlignACE is a Gibbs sampling algorithm for identifying motifs that are over-represented in a set of DNA sequences. When used to search upstream of apparently coregulated genes, AlignACE finds motifs that often correspond to the DNA binding preferences of transcription factors. We previously used AlignACE to analyze whole genome mRNA expression data. Here, we present a more detailed study of its effectiveness as applied to a variety of groups of genes in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. Published functional catalogs of genes and sets of genes grouped by common name provided 248 groups, resulting in 3311 motifs. In conjunction with this analysis, we present measures for gauging the tendency of a motif to target a given set of genes relative to all other genes in the genome and for gauging the degree to which a motif is preferentially located in a certain distance range upstream of translational start sites. We demonstrate improved methods for comparing and clustering sequence motifs. Many previously identified cis-regulatory elements were found. We also describe previously unidentified motifs, one of which has been verified by experiments in our laboratory. An extensive set of AlignACE runs on randomly selected sets of genes and on sets of genes whose upstream regions contain known transcription factor binding sites serve as controls.
Sintering of Low-Density Glasses: I, Theory

An analysis is presented which describes the rate at which a cubic array of cylinders densifies by viscous flow driven by surface energy reduction. The cubic array is proposed as a model for the microstructure of low-density, open-pore materials such as gels and flame-hydrolysis preforms. The parameters of the model structure (cylinder length and radius) can be deduced from Hg penetration porosimetry.
The Evolution of a Rossby-Wave Packet in a Three-Dimensional Baroclinic Atmosphere

Abstract The development of an individual quasi-geostrophic disturbance in a three-dimensional baroclinic atmosphere is investigated by using a wave-packet representation and the WKB method. The results obtained indicate that the development of a Rossby-wave packet in the upper level of the atmosphere depends on the packet's structure and location with respect to the zonal flow, whether the zonal flow is stable or not. The wave packet develops (decays) if the three-dimensional rays are indirect up-gradient (down-gradient) in the zonal flow. All characteristics of the wave packet are changing with time. The spatial scale or the three-dimensional wavelength of the developing (decaying) wave packet increases (decreases). The tilt of barotropic decaying (developing) trough line away from the meridian increases (decreases), while the vertical tilt of the baroclinic decaying (developing) trough line increases (decreases). The maximum amplitude of the developing (decaying) Rossby-wave packet moves toward (out fr...
The Role of Protease Inhibitors and Parasitoids on the Population Dynamics of Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver), is one of the major storage pests of cereals, and no antibiotic resistance in wheat against this insect has been identified to date. Midgut proteases are vital to insects that digest food in the midgut and have been considered as targets for the control of insect pests. Protease inhibitors are attractive for their potential use in developing insect-resistant plant varieties via genetic engineering. Characterization of the midgut proteases of S. cerealella larvae revealed the major digestive proteases were trypsin-like and α-chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. The partial inhibition of proteolytic activity by pepstatin A, however, suggested the presence of another protease in the midgut sensitive to this inhibitor. The potential value of naturally occurring plant protease inhibitors as resistance factors for S. cerealella was assessed in bioassays using artificial seeds prepared by freeze-drying a flour paste in Teflon molds and then coating the seeds with gelatin. Soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz inhibitor) had an adverse effect on the development of the insect and suggested a protease inhibitor might serve as a transgenic resistance factor. To evaluate the potential value of seed resistance in conjunction with an egg parasitoid on S. cerealella population dynamics a predictive model was developed. The model was directed toward grain storage in developing countries. While the model was hypothetical, outputs supported the use of resistant seed in conjunction with parasitoids to control the population growth of S. cerealella in a small seed storage room.
Useful, Usable, Desirable: Applying User Experience Design to Your Library

A review of Aaron Schmidt and Amanda Etches' book, "Useful, Usable, Desirable: Applying User Experience Design to Your Library".
Cloud-based Ground System for Telemetry Processing☆

Abstract Historically, ground systems for space telemetry and commanding have been developed on a mission-by-mission basis. Ground telemetry system designs were rarely reused across projects because schedule-driven development cycles did not allow for the inclusion of additional features to accommodate future mission formats and/or large varieties of operational scenarios. Because of the custom nature of these ground systems, reuse often required extensive changes in software, hardware, and firmware to meet new mission needs. This paper will describe the key elements of the product-oriented ground data system development approach citing past examples of reuse across mission operations systems. The paper will then outline a new generation of processing modules and systems using a cloud-based architecture that will afford up to an order of magnitude in cost reduction and improved reliability and flexibility over present generation systems.
Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy: Bench to Bedside

Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) presents as severe generalized sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic failure. This disorder is also known as acute pandysautonomia or idiopathic subacute autonomic neuropathy. Themost disablingmanifestations are orthostatic hypotension (OH) and gastrointestinal dysmotility. An autoimmune pathogenesis was suggested by the subacute onset, frequent associationwith antecedent viral illness, occasional association with cancer or other autoimmune disorders, and spontaneous recovery in some patients. Many cases have a rapid onset, but others have a chronic progressive course. Clinical and experimental observations demonstrate that AAG is an antibody-mediated disorder. (1) AAG patients have high levels of serum antibodies specific for the neuronal AChR in autonomic ganglia. This ganglionic AChR mediates fast synaptic transmission in all autonomic ganglia. Ganglionic AChR antibodies found in AAG patients are distinct from muscle AChR antibodies found in patients with MG. (2) Ganglionic AChR antibody levels correlate with severity of autonomic deficits. Patients with high antibody levels have a combination of OH, dry eyes and dry mouth, Adies pupil, gastroparesis, and neurogenic bladder. (3) Induction of ganglionic AChR antibodies in rabbits by immunization leads to experimental AAG which reproduces many of the cardinal features of the human disease. (4) Passive transfer of ganglionic AChR antibodies tomice causes transient autonomic failure. In electrophysiological studies, ganglionic AChR antibodies produce a reduction in ganglionic AChR current in cultured neuroblastoma cells and inhibit synaptic transmission in isolated autonomic ganglia. AAG is an antibody-mediated channelopathy that produces a severe, but treatable, form of autonomic failure.
Correlation Between Serum Alpha-Globulin and Plasma Inhibitory Effect on PHA-Stimulated Lymphocytes in Colon Cancer Patients

ConclusionThe effects of plasma from 15 normal individuals and 15 early colon cancer patients on PHA-stimulated lymphocytes were studied by testing on lymphocytes from a single donor in the same experiment to permit statistical analysis. As a group there was no difference between normal individuals and cancer patients. However, the plasma inhibitory effect tended to be more pronounced in patients with higher serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels which had been found to be higher in advanced stages of cancer. This probably indicates that the plasma inhibitory factor is present in increased amount in later stages of cancer but not in the early stages. A positive correlation was also found between plasma inhibitory effect and serum a-globulin level and between serum levels of a-globulin and carcinoembryonic antigen.
The Socioeconomic Consequences of the Franchise System of Distribution

The author explores and evaluates both the functional and dysfunctional consequences of a system of distribution which accounts for approximately 25% of total consumer goods’ expenditures in the Un...
Abstract 600: Targeting the hedgehog pathway by LNA (locked nucleic acid) oligonucleotide-based GLI2 RNA antagonists, EZN-4482 and EZN-4496,in vitroandin vivo

Background: Aberrent activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in the initiation and growth of a number of human malignancies, including those derived from skin, lung, liver, prostate and breast. The GLI family proteins are zinc finger transcription factors and the downstream effectors of Hh pathway, controling expression of the target genes such as GLI1, Ptch1, Cyclin D, and BCL2. Since amplification, overexpression of Hh ligand, and mutations of components along the Hh pathway are found in cancer and cancer stem cells, specific down regulation of GLIs with antisense molecules may offer a novel and effective therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. We report here the biological activities of LNA-based GLI2 mRNA antagonist, EZN-4482 and EZN-4496. Methods: In vitro, the ability of the antagonists to down modulate their direct target, GLI2 mRNA, and to inhibit cell growth was evaluated by qRT-PCR and MTS, respectively, in multiple cell lines of various origins. To identify and investigate the molecular events associated with targeted downmodulation of GLI2, expression of Hh pathway components and downstream effectors were analyzed by gene expression profiling and immnomoblotting analysis. In vivo, GLI2 mRNA down-modulation in PC3 xenograft tumor was evaluated after intravenous administration of the antagonists. The effect of antagonists on tumor growth and survival of mice were evaluated in PC3 prostate tumor grown on the flank and in A549 lung carcinoma cells that had metastasized to the liver respectively. Results: Both antagonists are specific and potent down-modulators of GLI2 mRNA (by transfection, IC 50 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 600.
Working for justice: the life history reflections of privileged college student social justice allies

This phenomenological life history study examined the dynamics that led privileged college students to engage in social justice work. I explored how privileged college students were led to understand how individuals get opportunities in life and ultimately achieve success. Also, I explored what moments or elements caused participants to question what they had learned and what barriers they faced to engaging in work for justice. All findings contributed to understanding what led privileged college students to engage in work for a more just environment. Using the social construction of dominant group privilege and ally development theory as the theoretical frameworks to guide this study, I analyzed how participants came to see injustice within the context of their privileged identity and why, unlike many of their peers, they chose to work on changing a social system from which they benefitted. In all, nine students holding privileged identities participated in three qualitative life history interviews each through which data for the study were collected. Profiles of each participant were developed from the data. The data were then transcribed, coded, analyzed, and organized into emerging themes. The findings revealed that a search for authenticity, environmental influences, a critical event, or experience as other first made privileged students aware of injustice. Barriers to participant engagement reported most often included not understanding their role, a general lack of awareness about injustice, others influential in their lives lacking awareness, and the absence of skills interacting with people who held diverse identities and in doing effective work on justice issues. Finally, educational institutions had significant influence on participant awareness of injustice issues, the need to advocate for change, and ultimately their decisions to take action. Specifically, college
Study on Effects of Somatic Cell Count on Properties of Semi-hard Goat Cheese

The somatic cell count (SCC) of goat milk is higher than that of cow and sheep milk due to its apocrine secretory system. Less research was conducted on the effects of somatic cell count on the properties of goat milk and cheese. In this study, three batches of goat milk with different SCC (5×105 cells/ml, 5×105～1×106 cells/ml and 1×106～1.5× 106 cells/ml) were collected and the effects of SCC on goat milk composition and properties of semi-hard goat cheese were investigated. The results showed that SCC of goat milk has no effects on the goat milk composition and yield and composition of goat cheese. However, goat cheeses with highest SCC get highest ratios of water soluble nitrogen and 12% trichloroacetic acid soluble nitrogen to total nitrogen after 60 d and 120 d aging. At the same time, higher SCC results in the decreasing of hardness and chewiness and increasing of springiness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness of goat cheeses. These findings will provide more scientific information for the following research on forming mechanism of goat milk SCC and for the establishment of grading system of goat milk.
Emotion, anthropomorphism, realism, control

This article proposes a validated 15-item scale that merges theoretically divergent perspectives on player-avatar relations in extant literature (parasociality as psychological merging and sociality as psychological divergence) to measure player-avatar interaction (PAX). PAX is defined as the perceived social and functional association between an MMO player and game avatar, inclusive of four factors: emotional investment, anthropomorphic autonomy, suspension of disbelief, and sense of player control. These four factors were stable across two large multi-game (N?=?494) and game-specific player samples (N?=?458), in both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Construct validity tests show scale dimensions have expected significant relationships with a sense of human-like relatedness and player-avatar relationship features, and predictive validity tests indicate theoretically likely and relevant factor associations with gameplay motivations and MMO genres. Historically, player-avatar relations have been examined as parasocial.Emerging research suggests variable relations: non-social to parasocial to social.A 15-item merged metric of player-avatar interaction (PAX) was developed, validated.PAX integrates para/social dimensions: emotion, anthropomorphism, realism, control.Construct/predictive validity tests for two large samples support the metric's utility.
The University Experiences of Students with Learning Disabilities.

To explore the university experiences of students with learning disabilities (LD), 63,802 responses to the 2014 Student Experience in the Research University Survey were analyzed. Compared to other students, those with self-reported LD (5.96 percent) had difficulty with assignments and had more obstacles caused by nonacademic responsibilities and imposed by their skill levels. Students with self-reported LD sensed more bias toward people with disabilities on campus, and they were less satisfied with their overall experience. Interactions between disability status and age suggested even more challenges for older students who self-reported LD. Approximately one-third of students who self-reported LD received accommodations. The rate of accommodations was higher among individuals who were wealthy, who lived alone, and who were out-of-state students. Compared to students who self-reported LD but reported no accommodations, those with accommodations had more contact with faculty and less difficulty with assignments.
New Insights in Cardiac Trauma

With decreasing operative mortality associated with newer diagnostic modalities, previous nonoperative approaches have been abandoned while judicious total repair of valvular, septal, and coronary artery injuries at the initial operative procedure seems reasonable and justified.