cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in dyadic communication during and after integrative and traditional behavioral couple therapy

Abstract To examine changes in dyadic communication, as well as links between communication and long-term relationship outcomes, 134 distressed couples randomly assigned to either Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy (TBCT; Jacobson & Margolin, 1979) or Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT; Jacobson & Christensen, 1998) were observed in video-recorded interactions. Observers rated discussions of relationship problems at 3 time points (pre-therapy, post-therapy, 2-year follow-up) and relationship outcomes (i.e., treatment response and relationship stability) were measured at a 5-year follow-up. Consistent with previous examinations of individual partner communication (K.J.W. Baucom et al., 2011; Sevier et al., 2008), TBCT produced greater improvements from pre-therapy to post-therapy ( d = 0.27–0.43) and superior communication at post-therapy ( d = 0.30–0.37). However, IBCT produced greater improvements from post-therapy to 2-year follow-up ( d = 0.32–0.39). Both levels of, and changes in, dyadic communication were associated with relationship outcomes, even when controlling for individual communication. Our findings lend additional support for theoretical and practical differences between these two therapies and the utility of assessment at the level of the couple. Furthermore, they contribute to a broader pattern of findings in which relationship outcomes are more consistently linked with constructive communication than with destructive communication.
Epigenetic modifications of prostate-derived Ets transcription factor in breast cancer cells

The importance of epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone modification and nucleosome remodeling in breast cancer is well established. Epigenetic alterations are reversible, and much research has been focused on understanding these alterations with the aim of developing effective therapies. Prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF) is a member of the Ets family of transcription factors and has long been under investigation for its key role in tumor development and progression. To date, no studies have been conducted to elucidate the epigenetic modifications of PDEF in cancer progression. Using breast and prostate cancer cells, we investigated the effect of the methylation inhibitor 5' azacytidine (AZA) on the expression of PDEF in these cells. The inhibition of methylation observed was specific to breast cancer cells as experiments with prostate cells did not exhibit any significant change. Notably, the expression of p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor 1 and also a target gene of PDEF, was found to be positively correlated with PDEF expression following 5'AZA treatment. Inhibition of methylation led to a decrease in the proliferation rate of MDA-MB-468 cells as revealed by MTT proliferation assay. Other epigenetic alterations such as histone modifications were not observed in these breast cancer cells following treatment with specific HDAC inhibitors. Our data suggest the possibility of epigenetic modification of PDEF due to DNA methylation and involvement of the cell cycle inhibitor p21. Future studies on the epigenetic alterations of PDEF in correlation with p21 or other targets may facilitate the development of effective therapies for the treatment of breast cancer.
Variation in the size of nascent RNA cleavage products as a function of transcript length and elongation competence.

Abstract RNA polymerase II arrested at specific template locations can be rescued by elongation factor SII via RNA cleavage. The size of the products removed from the 3′-end of the RNA varies. The release of single nucleotides, dinucleotides, and larger oligonucleotides has been detected by different workers. Dinucleotides tend to originate from SII-independent complexes and 7-14 base products from SII-dependent complexes (Izban, M. G., and Luse, D. S.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12874-12885). Different modes of cleavage have also been recognized for bacterial transcription complexes and are thought to represent important structural differences between functionally distinct transcription intermediates. Using an elongation complex “walking” technique, we have observed factor-independent complexes as they approach and become arrested at an arrest site. Dinucleotides or 7-9-base (large) oligonucleotides were released from SII-independent or dependent complexes, respectively. The abrupt shift between the release of dinucleotide versus large products accompanied the change from factor-dependent to factor-independent elongation, as described by others. However, not all factor-independent complexes showed cleavage in dinucleotide intervals since oligonucleotides 2-6 bases long were also liberated from elongation-competent complexes. These were all 5′-coterminal oligonucleotides indicating that a preferred phosphodiester bond is targeted for cleavage in a series of related complexes. This is consistent with recent models postulating a large product binding site that can hold RNA chains whose size increases as a function of chain polymerization. A specific transitional complex was identified that acquired the ability to cleave in a large increment one base insertion event prior to attaining the arrested configuration.
Effects of price uncertainty on consumer purchase budget and price thresholds

This article examines how uncertainty about prices affects: (1) the budget consumers allocate for purchasing a product and (2) consumer price thresholds (i.e., the prices that are considered “too high” or a “good deal”). In an experimental setting, the purchase budget as well as the absolute values of both thresholds for uncertain subjects were higher than those for certain subjects. Moreover, a relatively large decline from the budget was needed before a price was considered a “good deal,” whereas a relatively small increase from the budget was sufficient for a price to be considered “too high.” Price uncertainty widened the difference between the upper (i.e., “too high”) price threshold and the budget, making uncertain subjects more tolerant to prices exceeding the budget than certain subjects. However, price uncertainty did not have a significant effect on the difference between the budget and the lower (i.e., “good deal”) price threshold.
Global solution curves for semilinear systems

We study semilinear elliptic systems in two different directions. In the first one we give a simple constructive proof existence of solutions for a class of sublinear systems. Our main results are in the second direction, where we use bifurcation theory to study global solution curves. Crucial to our analysis is proving positivity properties of the corresponding linearized systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Establishment of HeLa cell mutants deficient in sphingolipid-related genes using TALENs.

Sphingolipids are essential components in eukaryotes and have various cellular functions. Recent developments in genome-editing technologies have facilitated gene disruption in various organisms and cell lines. We here show the disruption of various sphingolipid metabolic genes in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells by using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). A TALEN pair targeting the human CERT gene (alternative name COL4A3BP) encoding a ceramide transport protein induced a loss-of-function phenotype in more than 60% of HeLa cells even though the cell line has a pseudo-triploid karyotype. We have isolated several loss-of-function mutant clones for CERT, UGCG (encoding glucosylceramide synthase), and B4GalT5 (encoding the major lactosylceramide synthase), and also a CERT/UGCG double-deficient clone. Characterization of these clones supported previous proposals that CERT primarily contributes to the synthesis of SM but not GlcCer, and that B4GalT5 is the major LacCer synthase. These newly established sphingolipid-deficient HeLa cell mutants together with our previously established stable transfectants provide a ‘sphingolipid-modified HeLa cell panel,’ which will be useful to elucidate the functions of various sphingolipid species against essentially the same genomic background.
Electron transport system activity and oxygen consumption in marine sediments

Abstract Electron transport system (ETS) activity was investigated as an indicator of the respiratory potential of shallow-water and deep-sea marine sediments. ETS activities per volume of whole sediment (meq m −2 cm −1 h −1 ) were high in shallow water and decreased with water depth ( X in meters) according to the equation ETS = 1230 X −1.03 Associated with the decrease the thickness of the oxygenated sediments increased approximately exponentially from about 1 cm in shallow water to over 60 cm at 5000 m in the western North Atlantic, whereas published oxygen consumption rates decrease exponentially. The ratios of the published oxygen consumption rate to the ETS activity integrated over the oxygenated strata from the same sites averaged 0.17 ± 0.030 in shallow-water sediments and decreased with increasing water depth to 0.00036 at 5000 m. The three orders of magnitude decrease may be due to depression of the oxygen consumption rate relative to ETS activity within the deeply buried strata of long, aerobic cores from the deep sea.
A novel procedure for determining protein concentrations from absorption spectra of enzyme digests.

Abstract A novel procedure for determining molar extinction coefficients (EM), and hence protein concentrations, has been tested on ribonuclease A, bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulins A and B, α-lactalbumin, chymotrypsinogen A, and lysozyme. EM values were obtained from a combination of the absorption spectrum of the native protein and a difference spectrum generated between two aliquots of a thermolysin digest of the protein titrated to pH 1.5 and pH ≥ 13. Enzymatic digestion was shown to minimize conformational contributions to the difference spectrum. The EM of the native protein is then calculated from the tyrosine molarity of the digest and the previously determined tyrosine content of the protein. These EM values displayed a maximum error of −2.2% and an average absolute error of 1.4%. Samples as small as 100 μg give satisfactory results. Accurate sample weight and assumptions with regard to moisture and ash content are not required. In addition, the use of second-derivative (second-order) absorption spectroscopy to access the degree of spectral normalization produced by enzymatic digestion is described.
Boson-vortex-Skyrmion duality, spin-singlet fractional quantum Hall effect, and spin-1/2 anyon superconductivity.

In two space dimensions we generalize the boson-vortex duality picture for spinless particles to boson-vortex-Skyrmion duality for spin-1/2 particles. The spin-singlet fractional quantum Hall effect and spin-singlet anyon superconductivity can be understood as the condensation of vortices and Skyrmions into various fractional quantum Hall states.
A comparative analysis of alternative approaches for quantifying nonlinear dynamics in cardiovascular system

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has emerged as an important research topic to evaluate autonomic cardiac function. However, traditional time and frequency-domain analysis characterizes and quantify only linear and stationary phenomena. In the present investigation, we made a comparative analysis of three alternative approaches (i.e., wavelet multifractal analysis, Lyapunov exponents and multiscale entropy analysis) for quantifying nonlinear dynamics in heart rate time series. Note that these extracted nonlinear features provide information about nonlinear scaling behaviors and the complexity of cardiac systems. To evaluate the performance, we used 24-hour HRV recordings from 54 healthy subjects and 29 heart failure patients, available in PhysioNet. Three nonlinear methods are evaluated not only individually but also in combination using three classification algorithms, i.e., linear discriminate analysis, quadratic discriminate analysis and k-nearest neighbors. Experimental results show that three nonlinear methods capture nonlinear dynamics from different perspectives and the combined feature set achieves the best performance, i.e., sensitivity 97.7% and specificity 91.5%. Collectively, nonlinear HRV features are shown to have the promise to identify the disorders in autonomic cardiovascular function.
Photovoltaic-wind hybrid system with battery back-up optimized for apartment complexes and other community living environments

This paper presents an optimization tool which can be used to analyzed the feasibility of a hybrid wind-photovoltaic power system to meet the load requirements. The case study is done on a grid-tied apartment complex where 50% of the load is met by the proposed hybrid energy system. The methodology employs a techno-economic approach to determine the system that would guarantee a reliable energy supply with the lowest investment. The results obtained show that the reliable solution is that in which 95% of load is covered by photovoltaic panels and the other 5% by wind turbines. The Life Cycle Costing with payback time and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) with Net Metering are provided as part of the economics in the project. Federal incentives like Investment Tax Credits, MACRS and Bonus Depreciation, and Renewable Energy Grants were taken into account to evaluate initial and recurring costs for owners.
The developing brain and early learning

The United States’ Reach Out and Read model Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a paediatric primary care based intervention to encourage parents to read aloud to their young children. Doctors give books to children at each well child visit from 6 months of age to 5 years, and accompany these books with developmentally appropriate, individualised advice to the parents about strategies of enjoying books and reading aloud with their children. A growing body of peer reviewed research has shown this model to be effective in changing parental beliefs and behaviour and in accelerating language development in young children from low income families. Scientific knowledge regarding early brain development has progressed rapidly, eliciting widespread academic and popular interest. Much of the new understanding of the brain in the early years of life emphasises the translation of early experiences into neuronal connections, which in turn may influence later child development. We report an evidence based innovation in paediatric primary care in the United States that builds on recent research in brain development to promote learning in infancy and early childhood, with specific reference to books and language. Our new and rapidly expanding understanding of early brain development has elucidated the anatomical and physiological consequences of early experiences. Children are born with all their neurones already formed. However, the connections between these neurones are in large part established and elaborated after birth, as the synapses proliferate, forming and branching dramatically during early childhood, and reaching a peak count by 3 years of age. Half of these synapses are lost by age 15, suggesting that they are more than are needed for function in any human setting.1 Synapses are lost through the “pruning” of unused neural connections and the selective strengthening of those that are used to foster environmental adaptation.2 Recent …
Germline polymorphisms discovered via a cell-based, genome-wide approach predict platinum response in head and neck cancers

Identifying patients prior to treatment who are more likely to benefit from chemotherapeutic agents or more likely to experience adverse events is an aim of personalized medicine. Pharmacogenomics offers a potential means of achieving this goal through the discovery of predictive germline genetic biomarkers. When applied particularly to the treatment of head and neck cancers, such information could offer significant benefit to patients as a means of potentially reducing morbidity associated with platinum-based chemotherapy. We developed a genome-wide, cell-based approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with platinum susceptibility and then evaluated these SNPs as predictors for response and toxicity in head and neck cancer patients treated with platinum-based therapy as part of a phase II clinical trial. Sixty head and neck cancer patients were evaluated. Of 45 genome-wide SNPs examined, we found that 2 SNPs, rs6870861 ( P = 0.004; false discovery rate [FDR] P = 0.005; FDR 20 genes (all P ≤ 10 –4 ), and that 2 genes ( SLC22A5 and SLCO4C1 ) are important organic cation/anion transporters known to affect platinum uptake and clearance. Several other SNPs were associated nominally with carboplatin-related hematologic toxicities. These findings demonstrate importantly that a genome-wide, cell-based model can identify novel germline genetic biomarkers of platinum susceptibility, which are replicable in a clinical setting with treated cancer patients and seem clinically meaningful for potentially enabling future personalization of care in such patients.
Dependability Evaluation of Integrated Hardware/Software Systems

A methodology for predicting the dependability (reliability and availability) of an integrated realtime hardware/software system using a semi-Markov process is described. This methodology was used to evaluate the reliability of the shuttle mission simulators at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
Tracking of markers and onset of disease among HIV‐1 seroconverters

Repeated measurements on persons infected with HIV-1 indicate that infection has a dynamic impact on several markers of immune suppression and activation. The objectives of this report are: )a( to provide a statistical model for the correlation structure of serial measurements of immunological markers, and )b( to identify features of marker profiles associated with the timing of AIDS diagnoses. We analyse data obtained from 328 seroconverters participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study on whom the date of HIV-1 seroconversion is known within ∓ 4·5 months. Immunological markers considered here are CD4 cell counts, serum β2-microglobulin and serum neopterin. The statistical model for HIV-related changes in markers consists of )1( a piecewise linear regression model for the trajectories of markers over time and )2( a two-parameter autocorrelation function that generalizes Markovian and simple random effects autocorrelation structures. Application of this model for marker measurements revealed a high degree of tracking, as the estimated autocorrelation function exhibited sub-exponential decay over time. Though current marker levels are most informative on future values, there is substantial information )memory( in previous measurements. A feature suggested by the analysis of groups formed according to the length of the AIDS-free period, is the sequential divergence of the CD4 trajectories where steeper declines occurred with a two-year lag prior to AIDS onset. For AIDS cases diagnosed 3–5 and 5–7 years after seroconversion, the rates of decline compared with those free of AIDS for at least 4 years were steeper by 95 and 46 per cent respectively at two years prior to AIDS.
Affective outcomes in superficial and intimate interactions: Roles of social anxiety and curiosity

We examined the roles of trait curiosity and social anxiety (and the contributions of the behavioral inhibition and activation systems; BIS, BAS) in predicting positive and negative aVect (PA; NA) during social interactions. In Study 1, individuals interacted with same-sex confederates on topics that gradually escalated in emotional self-disclosure. In Study 2, cross-sex pairs of students were randomly assigned to a closeness-generating or small-talk interaction. There were several consistent Wndings across studies. Higher curiosity uniquely predicted greater interpersonally generated PA. Higher social anxiety uniquely predicted greater interpersonally generated NA in Study 1, and in Study 2, this relationship varied by social context. SpeciWcally, high compared to low socially anxious individuals reported greater NA during small-talk, with no diVerences during intimate interactions. Furthermore, Study 2 demonstrated that individuals with stronger BAS’s experienced greater PA in the intimate compared to small-talk condition. There appear to be important traits that diVerentially contribute to appetitive and aversive interpersonal experiences.
Ethylenediamine: a possible cause of airborne urticaria and indoor air complaints.

Ethylenediamine, a stabilizer in topical creams and a component of aminophylline (1), causes dermatitis and is a common sensitizer. Other related amines, such as monoamylamine and para-phenylenediamine, have caused urticaria. Except for 1 case report by Urbani (2), ethylenediamine is not a common cause of allergic urticaria (3, 4).
The major volatile compound 2-phenylethanol from the biocontrol yeast, Pichia anomala, inhibits growth and expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes of Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus is a ubiquitous saprophyte that is able to produce the most potent natural carcinogenic compound known as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This toxin frequently contaminates crops including corn, cotton, peanuts, and tree nuts causing substantial economic loss worldwide. Consequently, more than 100 countries have strict regulations limiting AFB1 in foodstuffs and feedstuffs. Plants and microbes are able to produce volatile compounds that act as a defense mechanism against other organisms. Pichia anomala strain WRL-076 is a biocontrol yeast currently being tested to reduce AF contamination of tree nuts in California. We used the SPME-GC/MS analysis and identified the major volatile compound produced by this strain to be 2-phenylethanol (2-PE). It inhibited spore germination and AF production of A. flavus. Inhibition of AF formation by 2-PE was correlated with significant down regulation of clustering AF biosynthesis genes as evidenced by several to greater than 10,000-fold decrease in gene expression. In a time-course analysis we found that 2-PE also altered the expression patterns of chromatin modifying genes, MYST1, MYST2, MYST3, gcn5, hdaA and rpdA. The biocontrol capacity of P. anomala can be attributed to the production of 2-PE, which affects spore germination, growth, toxin production, and gene expression in A. flavus.
Using growth analysis to interpret competition between a C3 and a C4 annual under ambient and elevated CO2.

Detailed growth analysis in conjunction with information on leaf display and nitrogen uptake was used to interpret competition between Abutilon theophrasti, a C3 annual, and Amaranthus retroflexus, a C4 annual, under ambient (350 μl l-1) and two levels of elevated (500 and 700 μl l-1) CO2. Plants were grown both individually and in competition with each other. Competition caused a reduction in growth in both species, but for different reasons. In Abutilon, decreases in leaf area ratio (LAR) were responsible, whereas decreased unit leaf rate (ULR) was involved in the case of Amaranthus. Mean canopy height was lower in Amaranthus than Abutilon which may explain the low ULR of Amaranthus in competition. The decrease in LAR of Abutilon was associated with an increase in root/shoot ratio implying that Abutilon was limited by competition for below ground resources. The root/shoot ratio of Amaranthus actually decreased with competition, and Amaranthus had a much higher rate of nitrogen uptake per unit of root than did Abutilon. These latter results suggest that Amaranthus was better able to compete for below ground resources than Abutilon. Although the growth of both species was reduced by competition, generally speaking, the growth of Amaranthus was reduced to a greater extent than that of Abutilon. Regression analysis suggests that the success of Abutilon in competition was due to its larger starting capital (seed size) which gave it an early advantage over Amaranthus. Elevated CO2 had a positive effect upon biomass in Amaranthus, and to a lesser extent, Abutilon. These effects were limited to the early part of the experiment in the case of the individually grown plants, however. Only Amaranthus exhibited a significant increase in relative growth rate (RGR). In spite of the transitory effect of CO2 upon size in individually grown plants, level of CO2 did effect final biomass of competitively grown plants. Abutilon grown in competition with Amaranthus had a greater final biomass than Amaranthus at ambient CO2 levels, but this difference disappeared to a large extent at elevated CO2. The high RGR of Amaranthus at elevated CO2 levels allowed it to overcome the difference in initial size between the two species.
Doublets and low-frequency fatigue in potentiated human muscle

Aim: To test the hypothesis that doublets compensate for low-frequency fatigue. Doublets increase force output from muscles stimulated at low frequencies. Low-frequency fatigue is a decline in the force elicited by low-frequency stimulation. Methods: Human flexor carpi radialis muscles were stimulated with 20 Hz trains with and without an initial doublet and with and without low-frequency fatigue and the resulting force response measured. Results: An initial doublet caused an increase in the maximum rate of force rise of 179.6 ± 27.9% in rested and 242.9 ± 37.7% in muscles with low-frequency fatigue, and a substantial enhancement in force in the first three inter-pulse intervals after the extra pulse. The magnitude and time course of the early doublet enhancement were very similar regardless of low-frequency fatigue, consistent with current theories regarding the mechanisms of the doublet effect and of low-frequency fatigue. By the end of the 1 s stimulus train, force enhancement was insignificant in rested muscles and was small and subject-dependent in muscles with low-frequency fatigue (17.3 ± 8.1% of force without a doublet), reducing the force deficit by 25.2 ± 5.5%. Conclusions: The time course of doublet force enhancement implies that an initial doublet may effectively compensate for the deficit in rate of force rise in muscles with low-frequency fatigue, but may not compensate for force deficits beyond the first few inter-pulse intervals.
TILLICHIAN TELEODYNAMICS: AN EXAMINATION OF THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL UNITY OF EMERGENT LIFE

Emergence theory has generated many significant new questions for dialogue between theology and science. My work will examine the models of one emergence theorist, Terrence Deacon, and consider the constructive potential of Tillich's multidimensional unity of life for responding to the theological ramifications of this account of emergence theory. Such a Tillich-inspired constructive process will rely upon Robert Russell's method of “Creative Mutual Interaction.” Building on the interactive quality of Russell's method, I will also begin to offer suggestions for how Tillich's theological themes might influence scientific research programs using Deacon's emergence theory by contributing to the process of defining life. Finally, I will conclude by identifying three facets of continued research that stem from this analysis, focusing primarily on its implications for theological anthropology and what it means to be in the image of God.
Population Genetics of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Collected From Arkansas

Lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum L. (Acari: Ixodidae), infest multiple hosts such as birds, and mammals of various sizes (rodents to white-tailed deer) and can harbor human pathogens such as Borrelia lonestari and Ehrlichiosis chaffeensis. The population structure of 251 A. americanum ticks, collected from canines and two white-tailed deer in six Arkansas ecoregions, was examined using DNA sequences of a 247-bp region of the mitochondrial DNA ribosomal RNA 16S gene. Of the 247 nucleotide characters, 26 were variable. Thirty-three haplotypes were identified of which 25 haplotypes occurred once (10%). The most common haplotype was Aa25, occurring in 60% of the samples and found in all six ecoregions. The excess of low frequency haplotypes combined with the overall negative Tajima's D and Fu and Li statistics suggests population expansion. Phylogenetic relationships of the 33 A. americanum haplotypes were constructed with other Amblyomma species and identified A. americanum as a monophyletic species with two groups. The patterns of high nucleotide and haplotype diversity found in this study suggests that the A. americanum population is expanding perhaps due to its ability to survive in a variety of habitats and feed on multiple hosts. Given the gene flow in Arkansas, the spread of acaricide resistance and pathogens may be rapid.
Nongeometric determination of left ventricular volumes from equilibrium blood pool scans

This study assesses the utility of a scintigraphic, nongeometric technique for the determination of left ventricular volumes. Accordingly, gated blood pool scintigraphy and cineangiography were performed within a 24 hour period in 22 patients. Scintigraphic volume measurements were calculated from individual frames of a modified 35 degrees left anterior oblique projection using an algorithm designed to consider (1) the background-corrected left ventricular activity normalized for activity per milliliter of peripheral venous blood; (2) total study time; (3) number of frames acquired per cardiac cycle; and (4) percent of the cardiac cycle acquired. Angiographic volumes were calculated by the area-length method and the Kennedy regression equation. There was an excellent correlation between scintigraphic and angiographic methods for all volume measurements grouped together (r = 0.985, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 14.6 ml) as well as for segregated end-diastolic volumes (r = 0.985, SEE = 16.2 ml) and end-systolic volumes (r = 0.988, SEE = 14.7 ml). Prospective testing of the independent ability of scintigraphy to estimate ventricular volumes was provided for by studying an additional 13 patients, and good agreement was found between scintigraphic and angiographic determinations of left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes. Thus, radionuclide techniques, which are independent of geometric assumptions, may be utilized for the quantitation of left ventricular volumes.
Bilayer film model for the interaction between adsorption and bacterial activity in granular activated carbon columns part I: Formulation of equations and their numerical solutions†

The diffusion-reaction film model proposed by Andrews and Tien (1981) for the interaction between adsorption and bacterial activities in carbon columns was generalized. The microbial film was assumed to be composed of two regions of distinctively different microbial activity, depending on the presence or absence of dissolved oxygen. Governing equations were derived to describe the dynamics of the carbon columns in which the interaction between adsorption and bacterial growth and methods for solving these equations were developed.
A simple solution for boundary layer flow of power law fluids past a semi‐infinite flat plate

The steady, two-dimensional, incompressible laminar boundary-layer flow of power law fluids past a semi-infinite flat plate is studied analytically by the method of series expansion and the method of steepest descent (Meksyn's method). The shear stress of the fluids considered is proportional to the nth power of the velocity gradient. The solution obtained is a series of gamma function with the coefficient being a function of the material constant, n. The first ten terms of the series solution are then considered for the sum to determine the velocity gradient at the plate, fηη(0). The results obtained for fηη(0) and the coefficient of skin friction are in excellent agreement with the numerical solutions available in the range of 0.1 ≤ n ≤ 2.5.
Crowd (soft) control: moving beyond the opportunistic

A number of novel wireless networked services, ranging from participatory sensing to social networking, leverage the increasing capabilities of mobile devices and the movements of the individuals carrying them. For many of these systems, their effectiveness fundamentally depends on coverage and the particular mobility patterns of the participants. Given the strong spatial and temporal regularity of human mobility, the needed coverage can typically only be attained through a large participant base.In this paper we explore an alternative approach to attain coverage without scale -- (soft) controlling the movement of participants. We present Crowd Soft Control (CSC), an approach to exert limited control over the temporal and spatial movements of mobile users by leveraging the built-in incentives of location-based gaming and social applications. By pairing network services with these location-based apps, CSC allows researchers to use an application's incentives (e.g. game objectives) to control the movement of participating users, increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the associated network service. After outlining the case for Crowd Soft Control, we present an initial prototype of our ideas and discuss potential benefits and costs in the context of two case studies.
Socioeconomic status does not predict cocaine use among ischemic stroke patients: A nested case-control study

Previous studies of cocaine use and stroke have focused on acute effects of cocaine in perceived high-risk populations. We characterized mechanisms and risk factors for cocaine use among ischemic stroke patients from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds to inform medical management decisions and prevention efforts. We studied consecutive adults admitted with acute ischemic stroke to our institution between January 2007 and December 2010 with a history or laboratory confirmation of cocaine use. Age, sex, and race-matched cocaine-negative controls were derived from the same study population. Demographics, risk factors, clinical and imaging data were compared between groups. Among 4073 acute ischemic stroke patients, 91 (2.2%) had a history of cocaine use and/or a positive toxicology screen (cases). Cocaine abusers did not differ from controls by occupation, income, or educational level (P > 0.5). Active tobacco use independently increased the odds of cocaine use among stroke patients (odds ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval 2.0–7.5), as did the history of migraine (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1–5.9). Stroke subtype also predicted cocaine use among stroke patients (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.93). Stroke patients with current or past cocaine use could not be distinguished from non-users by socioeconomic factors. Liberal use of toxicology screening among a much broader population of patients is needed for proper identification and management. Further study of causal mechanisms for cardioembolism in cocaine-associated stroke is warranted.
Large anhydrous polyalanine ions: substitution of Na+ for H+ destabilizes folded states

Abstract The conformations of a series of anhydrous sodiated polyalanine ions ([Alan + 3Na]3+, where n = 18–36) have been examined in the gas phase by ion mobility measurements and molecular modeling simulations. The experimental results indicate that these ions exist as highly extended conformations. There is no strong evidence for a folded state, observed previously for a series of analogous protonated polyalanines ([Alan + 3H]3+, where n = 24–41) (A.E. Counterman, D.E. Clemmer, J. Am. Chem. Soc., submitted). Molecular dynamics simulations for the [Alan + 3Na]3+ ions also indicate that extended structures are favored. The simulations show that extensive helical regions are present; however, near the sites where Na+ ions are attached, helical regions appear to be substantially disrupted by intramolecular charge solvation of the Na+. Simulations of some [Alan + 3Na]3+ charge site assignments show evidence for structures that are similar to folded structures observed for analogous [Alan + 3H]3+ ions; however, the calculated energy gap between the folded and unfolded states for the triply sodiated system is slightly greater than the gap in analogous protonated polyalanines. We propose this as a possible explanation for the absence of experimental evidence for a folded state in the sodiated system. Keywords: Polyalanine; Ion mobility; Sodium; Stability; Electrospray
Observation of particle alignment in the octupole band of 172Yb

Abstract Members of the octupole band up to spin 14− have been identified with the 170 Er (α,2 n ) 172 Yb reaction. The band is strongly perturbed by Coriolis effects and has a high moment of inertia with variations characteristic of particle alignment. Vabrational alignment is insufficient to explain the data.
Methylation of the ASC gene promoter is associated with aggressive prostate cancer.

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the methylation status of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC; TMS1; PYCARD) in prostate cancer cell lines and human tissues and to determine if those findings correlate with the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer. Methods Genomic DNA was isolated from prostate cell lines and microdissected tissues, bisulfite converted and analyzed by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Expression of ASC in prostate cancer cell lines treated with or without methylation inhibitors was determined by quantitative or qualitative RT-PCR. Results ASC gene expression was silenced or reduced in five prostate cancer cell lines and correlated with methylation status. Treatment of MDAPCa2b prostate cancer cells with the methylation inhibitors 5-aza-2-deoxycitidine and Zebularine reactivated expression of ASC. Of 58 prostate cancer specimens, methylation of the ASC promoter region was present in 65% of primary cancer tissue, 64% (7/11) of cancer-associated high grade-prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PIN), and 28% of normal-appearing but adjacent to tumor prostate tissue. While ASC methylation was not related to Gleason score (P = 0.46) or pathological stage (P = 0.75), there was a significantly higher frequency of ASC methylation in the adjacent normal tissue for patients with biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0383). Conclusions Methylation of the ASC gene promoter is both a frequent and early event in prostate cancer carcinogenesis. Surprisingly, methylation of the adjacent normal tissue occurs significantly more often in patients who later undergo biochemical recurrence, suggesting a role for inactivation of the ASC gene in the initial stages of aggressive disease. Prostate © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World. By John Iliffe. (Woodbridge, England: James Currey, 2011. Pp. 320. $80.00.)

Drawing from a rich fountain of primary and secondary sources, this new study provides readers with a nuanced biographical narrative stewed with Nigerian history in global context. John Iliffe perc...
Salt-flank delineation by interferometric imaging of transmitted P- to S-waves

We describe how vertical seismic profile (VSP) interferometric imaging of transmitted P-to-S (PS) waves can be used to delineate the flanks of salt bodies. Unlike traditional migration methods, interferometric PS imaging does not require the migration velocity model of the salt and/or upper sediments in order to image the salt flank. Synthetic elastic examples show that PS interferometric imaging can clearly delineate the upper and lower boundaries of a realistic salt-body model. Results also show that PS interferometric imaging is noticeably more accurate than conventional migration methods in the presence of static shifts and/or migration velocity errors. However, the illumination area of the PS transmitted waves is limited by the width of the shot and geophone aperture, which means wide shot offsets and deeper receiver wells are needed for comprehensive salt-flank imaging. Interferometric imaging results for VSP data from the Gulf of Mexico demonstrate its superiority over the traditional migration method. We also discuss other arrivals that can be used for interferometric imaging of salt flanks. For comparison, reduced-time migration results are presented, which are similar in quality to those obtained for interferometric imaging. We conclude that PS interferometric imaging of VSP data provides the geophysicist with a new tool by which salt flanks can be viewed from both above and below VSP geophone locations.
On the effective action of chiral W3 gravity

Abstract We perform a perturbative analysis of the effective action, as defined in the paper, of quantum chiral W3 gravity. The results are given as a 1/c expansion, where c is the central charge of the matter system that drives the W3 gravity dynamics. Certain nonlocalities in the Ward identities for the induced action, which we found previously, are cancelled by 1-loop contributions from propagating spin-2 and spin-3 gauge fields. On the basis of these results, we propose an exact all-order result for the effective action.
Probabilistic Survivability Versus Time Modeling.

This technical paper documents Kennedy Space Centers Independent Assessment team work completed on three assessments for the Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Program to assist the Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer (CSO) and GSDO management during key programmatic reviews. The assessments provided the GSDO Program with an analysis of how egress time affects the likelihood of astronaut and worker survival during an emergency. For each assessment, the team developed probability distributions for hazard scenarios to address statistical uncertainty, resulting in survivability plots over time. The first assessment developed a mathematical model of probabilistic survivability versus time to reach a safe location using an ideal Emergency Egress System at Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B); the second used the first model to evaluate and compare various egress systems under consideration at LC-39B. The third used a modified LC-39B model to determine if a specific hazard decreased survivability more rapidly than other events during flight hardware processing in Kennedys Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).Based on the composite survivability versus time graphs from the first two assessments, there was a soft knee in the Figure of Merit graphs at eight minutes (ten minutes after egress ordered). Thus, the graphs illustrated to the decision makers that the final emergency egress design selected should have the capability of transporting the flight crew from the top of LC 39B to a safe location in eight minutes or less. Results for the third assessment were dominated by hazards that were classified as instantaneous in nature (e.g. stacking mishaps) and therefore had no effect on survivability vs time to egress the VAB. VAB emergency scenarios that degraded over time (e.g. fire) produced survivability vs time graphs that were line with aerospace industry norms.
History of Vegetable Oil-Based Diesel Fuels

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a history of vegetable oil-based diesel fuels. Vegetable oils and animal fats were investigated as diesel fuels well before the energy crises of the 1970s and early 1980s sparked renewed interest in alternative fuels. Palm oil was often considered as a source of diesel fuel in the “historic” studies, although the diversity of oils and fats as sources of diesel fuel, an important aspect again today, and striving for energy independence were reflected in other “historic” investigations. Most major European countries with African colonies—Belgium, France, Italy and the UK with Portugal apparently making an exception—at the time, had varying interest in vegetable oil fuels. Vegetable oils were also used as emergency fuels and for other purposes during World War II. The kinematic viscosity of vegetable oils is about an order of magnitude greater than that of conventional, petroleum-derived diesel fuel. High viscosity causes poor atomization of the fuel in the engine's combustion chambers and ultimately results in operational problems, such as engine deposits. As a result of the energy crises of the 1970's, vegetable oils were remembered as alternatives to petrodiesel fuel, with work commencing in countries such as Austria, Germany, South Africa, and the United States. The use of methyl esters of sunflower oil to reduce the viscosity of vegetable oil was reported at several technical conferences in 1980 by South African researchers and marked the beginning of the rediscovery and eventual commercialization of vegetable oil esters as biodiesel fuel.
Predictors of Outcome of Rectovaginal Fistula Surgery in Women With Crohn's Disease.

Background: Despite measures taken to control traditional risk factors like increased rectal disease activity, anorectal stenosis, and, to a lesser extent, obesity, rates of poor outcomes after rectovaginal fistula (RVF) surgery in women with Crohn’s disease (CD) are still high and require further elucidation. To bridge the gap, we sought to identify risk factors beyond the aforementioned determinants that may be associated with poor outcomes in these patients. Methods: We designed a retrospective, unmatched, case-control study to test our hypothesis. The population comprised women with CD who underwent RVF surgery between the years of 2000 and 2013. Cases were defined as surgeries with an unsuccessful outcome at 4 weeks post-surgery, and controls represented those with a successful outcome at 4 weeks post-surgery. With multivariable logistic regression models, we sought to identify pertinent risk factors for poor outcomes after RVF surgery in these women. Results: Of the 108 women with CD who were referred to our institution for evaluation of RVFs between 2000 and 2013, 39 underwent a total of 63 surgeries, of which 16 were cases and 47 were controls. There were no significant differences between them with regard to medications and clinical or mucosal disease severity, but a significantly higher proportion of poor outcomes arose from the group of women who underwent a mucosal flap procedure (88%) compared to those who had a seton placed (13%; P = 0.0004). The final adjusted logistic regression model demonstrated that women who underwent a mucosal flap procedure instead of a seton placement were 17.5 times more likely to have a poor surgical outcome (odds ratio (OR): 17.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.12 - 98.43; P = 0.0012). Moreover, it was seen that women with active colonic mucosal disease, independent of rectal disease activity, were 4.4 times more likely to have a poor outcome (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 1.06 - 18.26). Conclusion: Mucosal flap procedures, representing the second, or definitive, stage in surgical treatment of RVF are associated with much worse outcomes and therefore should be preceded by aggressive medical optimization of the patient. J Clin Med Res. 2016;8(2):126-129 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2421w
Narrow water barriers prevent multiple colonizations and limit gene flow among California Channel Island wild buckwheats (Eriogonum: Polygonaceae)

The relative roles of chance colonization and subsequent gene flow in the development of insular endemic biotas have been extensively studied in remote oceanic archipelagos, but are less well characterized on nearshore island systems. The current study investigated patterns of colonization and divergence between and within two wild buckwheat species (Polygonaceae), Eriogonum arborescens and E. giganteum, endemic to the California Channel Islands to determine whether geographical isolation is driving diversification. Using plastid and nuclear sequence data and microsatellite allele frequencies, we determined that gene flow in these Eriogonum spp. is restricted by isolation. The data suggest that successful colonization of and gene flow among the islands are infrequent. Colonization appears to have followed a stepping-stone model that is consistent with a north-to-south pattern across the islands. This colonization pattern coupled with relatively little post-colonization inter-island gene flow, particularly among southern islands, has generated a pattern of more divergent lineages on the isolated southern islands. These results run counter to the general expectation that all islands close to a continental source should receive a high level of gene flow. Finally, management recommendations focused on protecting the lineages from loss of private alleles and the erosion of the remaining genetic diversity are offered.