cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet radiometry with synchrotron radiation and cryogenic radiometry

The combination of a cryogenic radiometer and synchrotron radiation enables detector scale realization in spectral regions that are otherwise difficult to access. Cryogenic radiometry is the most accurate primary detector-based standard available to date, and synchrotron radiation gives a unique broadband and continuous spectrum that extends from x ray to far IR. We describe a new cryogenic radiometer-based UV radiometry facility at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility II at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The facility is designed to perform a variety of detector and optical materials characterizations. The facility combines a high-throughput, normal incidence monochromator with an absolute cryogenic radiometer optimized for UV measurements to provide absolute radiometric measurements in the spectral range from 125 nm to approximately 320 nm. We discuss results on photodetector characterizations, including absolute spectroradiometric calibration, spatial responsivity mapping, spectroreflectance, and internal quantum efficiency. In addition, such characterizations are used to study UV radiation damage in photodetectors that can shed light on the mechanism of the damage process. Examples are also given for UV optical materials characterization.
Hydroxyzine inhibits experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and associated brain mast cell activation.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been used as an animal model for the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). In acute MS or EAE, early disruption in the integrity of the blood–brain-barrier (BBB) precedes brain infiltration by inflammatory cells or any clinical evidence of disease. BBB permeability could be affected by vasoactive mediators and cytokines released from perivascular brain mast cells. We investigated the number and degree of activation of brain mast cells in EAE and the effect of the heterocyclic histamine-1 receptor antagonist hydroxyzine, a piperazine compound known to also block mast cells. Acute EAE was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with whole guinea pig spinal cord homogenate and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). A second group of animals were treated orally with hydroxyzine for one day before immunization and then continuously for 14 days. Control rats were treated with CFA or hydroxyzine alone. The clinical progression of EAE was assessed on days 10, 12 and 14 after immunization. The number of metachromatic mast cells and the degree of degranulation was assessed in the thalamus with light microscopy. At day 14, there was a three-fold increase in the number of brain mast cells with EAE, as compared to controls. These cells were positive for the immunoglobulin E binding protein (FcϵRI), while those from control rats were not. Over 40% of all thalamic mast cells studied in EAE showed partial staining or extruded secretory granule indicative of secretion. Hydroxyzine treatment inhibited (p<0.05) the progression and severity of EAE by 50% and the extent of mast cell degranulation by 70% (p<0.05). These findings indicate that brain mast cells are associated with EAE development and that inhibition of their activation correlates positively with the clinical outcome.
Effects of pregnancy on female sexual function and body image: a prospective study.

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual function through pregnancy and the postpartum period is an important aspect of quality of life. Despite this, prospective studies are limited, and the impact of body image on sexual function has not been explored. Aim To prospectively assess the effects of pregnancy on sexual function, and explore causative factors for sexual function alterations such as body image and pelvic floor symptoms. Materials and Methods Pregnant women completed the questionnaires in the first and third trimester and at 6 months postpartum. These included general information, questions regarding sexual activity and practices, and five validated indices: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire, short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. Main Outcome Measures An assessment of the FSFI domains through the 6 months postpartum and relationships between sexual function, body image, and pelvic floor symptoms. Results One hundred seven women were enrolled, 63 completed the final questionnaire. Sexual function declined through pregnancy and was not recovered by postpartum ( P = 0.017); sexual frequency was highest prior to becoming pregnant ( P P = 0.01). In early pregnancy, low sexual function was associated with impaired body image, while in the postpartum period, worse urinary symptoms correlated with poor FSFI. Conclusion Sexual function worsens during pregnancy and is not recovered by the 6 months postpartum; poor scores may be attributable to low body image and urinary complaints. Pauls RN, Occhino JA, and Dryfhout VL. Effects of pregnancy on female sexual function and body image: A prospective study. J Sex Med 2008;5:1915–1922.
Bed Sharing With Unimpaired Parents Is Not an Important Risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: To the Editor

To the Editor .— The Section on Breastfeeding of the American Academy of Pediatrics welcomes the new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome1 regarding measures that may further reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), especially the recommendation for proximate sleeping arrangements for all infants. We must take exception, however, to the global recommendation against all bed sharing, because the data supporting this recommendation are relatively weak and not specific to the breastfeeding population. We would, for the same reasons, not promote bed sharing at this time. It is our opinion that a neutral position acknowledging the still-controversial nature of this issue would have been more appropriate. With approximately half of all mothers in the United States practicing infant bed sharing at some …
Phonological working memory impairments in children with specific language impairment: where does the problem lie?

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine which factors contribute to the lexical learning deficits of children with specific language impairment (SLI). Method Participants included 40 7–8-year old participants, half of whom were diagnosed with SLI and half of whom had normal language skills. We tested hypotheses about the contributions to word learning of the initial encoding of phonological information and the link to long-term memory. Children took part in a computer-based fast-mapping task which manipulated word length and phonotactic probability to address the hypotheses. The task had a recognition and a production component. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVAs with post-hoc testing. Results Results indicate that the main problem for children with SLI is with initial encoding, with implications for limited capacity. There was not strong evidence for specific deficits in the link to long-term memory. Conclusions We were able to ascertain which aspects of lexical learning are most problematic for children with SLI in terms of fast-mapping. These findings may allow clinicians to focus intervention on known areas of weakness. Future directions include extending these findings to slow mapping scenarios. Learning outcomes : The reader will understand how different components of phonological working memory contribute to the word learning problems of children with specific language impairment.
Review of The Y Chromosome, Sry and Hypertension

The following review examines the role of the SHR Y chromosome and specifically the Sry gene complex in hypertension and potential mechanisms that involve the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system. There are consistent gender differences in hypertension, with a greater proportion of males affected than females in most mammalian populations. Our earlier studies demonstrated that a portion of the gender differences in blood pressure (BP) in the SHR rat mapped to the SHR Y chromosome. In rats, males with the SHR Y chromosome have higher BP than females, or males with a different Y chromosome. Consistent with these results, several human population studies have confirmed a Y chromosome effect on BP. Our more recent studies focus on a transcription factor, Sry, as the locus involved in not only BP modulation but effects on other phenotypes. The Sry locus is an evolutionarily conserved locus on the mammalian Y chromosome responsible for testis determination and is a transcription factor. The Sry locus contains a highly conserved High Mobility Group (HMG) box region responsible for DNA binding. Mutations in the HMG box result in sex reversal. We have found multiple functional copies of Sry in SHR and WKY male rats. There is abundant evidence that testes determination may not be Sry's only function as it is expressed in the brain, kidney and adrenal gland of adult males. These findings have potential implications for gender physiology research which involves, the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin system, androgen receptor regulation and prostate physiology.
Electrochemical properties of the newly synthesized poly(ferrocenyl dialkylsilane) polymers

We have synthesized and characterized several poly(ferrocenyl dialkylsilane) polymers. The solutions and films of these polymers showed two reversible and stable redox reactions when cycled in organic electrolytes between 0.0 and 1.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode). Their electrochemical behavior depends on the size of the alkyl substituents and the silane bridge between the ferrocene units for the (alpha) , (beta) diferrocenyl oligosilane. In addition, these newly synthesized polymers are thermally stable up to 400 degree(s)C. These poly(ferrocenyl dialkylsilane) polymers are potential candidates for use as the counter electrode or in the electrolyte component in electrochromic and electroluminescence display devices.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Self-Assembled Oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) Molecular Electronic Switch Monolayers on Gold: Structures and Chemical Stability

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the nitro-substituted oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) 4,4‘-(diethynylphenyl)-2‘-nitro-1-benzenethiolate on Au{111} were prepared, and the structures were characterized by multiple techniques, including infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Assembly of the nitro-OPE SAM, either via acidic hydrolysis of the thioacetate derivative or from the thiol in pure solvent, produces a well-ordered SAM with a (√3 × √3) superlattice structure and an average molecular tilt of 32−39° from the surface normal. In comparison, SAMs prepared from the unsubstituted OPE show the same lattice structure and a similar tilt of ∼33°. In contrast, when the nitro-OPE SAM is assembled by hydrolysis of the thioacetate derivative under basic conditions, extensive redox reactions arise in which oxidation of the S atoms occurs with accompanying reduction of −NO2 to −NH2, apparently via intermediates including −NH(OH), to form mixed composition SAMs typically contain...
Ultraviolet-Visible Fluorescence Spectra of Coal Extracts and Related Materials

WE have obtained uncorrelated ultraviolet-visible fluorescence spectra of a coal-hydrogenation asphaltene, a coal-tar pitch, a neutral oil from coal carbonization and pyridine extracts of vitrains from five coals as part of a comprehensive spectral investigation of the chemical structure of coal and related materials. Although light-induced chemiluminescence in the visible has been detected in solutions of coal derivatives1 and infrared fluorescence has been observed for coals and a few related materials2, the technique of ultraviolet-visible fluorescence spectrometry has not been previously applied to studies of the structure of coal.
A characterization of Kapton polyimide by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy

Kapton polyimide films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The samples characterized include Kapton-H and Kapton-HN. The XPS data suggest that the Kapton films are mainly poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene pyromellitimide). The Kapton-HN films were found to have imbedded particles which were identified by EDS to contain calcium and phosphorus. These films also give solid residues of approximately 0.4 wt% after the films were heated to 800° C in air.
A Mechanistic Study of O 2 Reduction on Water Soluble Phthalocyanines Adsorbed on Graphite Electrodes

Abstract : Co and Fe tetrasulfonate phthalocyanines (M-TSP), adsorbed at monolayer levels on graphite surfaces, have been found to have a pronounced catalytic effect on the O2 reduction process in both acid and alkaline solutions. The kinetics have been examined with the rotating ring-disk electrode technique. Co-TSP promotes the O2 reduction process via 2-electrons to give peroxide whereas Fe-TSP promotes a 4-electron reduction to give water. (Author)
Comparing heart rate and pupil size as objective measures of workload in the driving context: initial look

Historically detection of workload has been done through the use of subjective measures but new demands in research are driving interests to objective and immediate physiological measures. This paper is a look at some initial data from a study comparing the commonly used measure of heart rate (HR) to that of pupil size (PS), in detecting changes in workload in a driving environment. Participants drove a simulator and performed the n-back task while having their HR and PS tracked. Initial results show both measures have the expected trends; but significant differences between n-back levels found in the PS data suggest that PS may be more sensitive to differences in workload. The results and considerations are discussed.
A proto-oncogene BCL6 is up-regulated in the bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma cells.

Constitutive B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) expression was undetectable in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, except U266 cells. However, it was up-regulated by coculture with bone marrow (BM) stromal cell-culture supernatant (SCCS). Bcl-6 expression in patient MM cells in the BM was positive. Anti–interleukin-6 (IL-6)–neutralizing antibody significantly blocked SCCS-induced Bcl-6 in MM cells. Indeed, IL-6 strongly triggered Bcl-6 expression in MM cells, whereas Janus kinase inhibitor and STAT3 siRNA down-regulated Bcl-6. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) also triggered Bcl-6, but independently of STAT3, whereas IκB kinaseβ inhibitor down-regulated TNF-α–induced Bcl-6, indicating that the canonical nuclear factor-κB pathway mediates TNF-α–induced Bcl-6 expression. Importantly, down-regulation of Bcl-6 by shRNA significantly inhibited MM cell growth in the presence of SCCS. Our results therefore suggest that Bcl-6 expression in MM cells is modulated, at least in part, via Janus kinase/STAT3 and canonical nuclear factor-κB pathways and that targeting Bcl-6, either directly or via these cascades, inhibits MM cell growth in the BM milieu.
Current knowledge of pancreatic carcinogenesis in the hamster and its relevance to the human disease

Syrian hamsters present a unique species for induction of pancreatic tumors that in many aspects resemble human pancreatic cancer. The specific response of Syrian hamsters, in contrast to may other rodents, for development of pancreatic ductal (ductular) tumors is not yet known. All pancreatic carcinogens thus far tested show certain common features. They are all nitrosamines that possess or can be metabolized to compounds with 2-oxopropyl- or 2-hydroxypropyl substituents. All but one, N-nitroso-methyl(2-oxopropyl)amine, occur or metabolize to nitrosamines with the ability to cyclize and form structures resembling glucose. Hence it is suggested that this cyclic structure may be responsible for the pancreatic carcinogenicity of these nitrosamines, as has been proposed for the pancreatotropic effect of streptozotocin. It is also of further interest that one pancreatic ductal (ductular) carcinogen, N-nitroso-2-methoxy-2,6-dimethylmorpholine, which possesses a totally cyclic structure, acts, like streptozotocin, as beta-cell cytotoxic and diabetogenic when given in a high single dose. Modification of pancreatic tumor induction has been demonstrated by specific procedures. A high fat diet significantly increases both the incidence and number of induced cancers. Methods for early diagnosis and therapy are being developed and their significance and applicabilities for clinical use will be of major importance. Compared with the other most common types of human cancer, pancreatic cancer has extraordinary characteristics, which make the disease one of the most mysterious of maladies. Consequently, pancreatic cancer represents a serious international problem and requires urgent resolution, especially with regard to its etiology, early diagnosis, prevention, and therapy.
δ- and β-crystallin mRNA levels in the embryonic and posthatched chicken lens: Temporal and spatial changes during development

Abstract The levels of δ- and β-crystallin mRNAs were examined by cDNA hybridization in the embryonic and posthatched chicken eye lens. Four different cloned β-crystallin cDNAs were used, allowing discrimination among different members of the β-crystallin family. Each crystallin mRNA displayed a characteristic temporal and spatial pattern in the developing lens. δ-Crystallin mRNA accumulated rapidly during early embryonic development; by contrast, the β-crystallin mRNAs began to accumulate rapidly near the end of embryogenesis. Both δ- and β-crystallin mRNAs increased in the lens for the first month after hatching and began to decrease 3 months after hatching. The levels of the δ- and the different β-crystallin mRNAs were also differentially regulated in cultured embryonic lens epithelia. The most fiber cell specific crystallin gene product in the differentiating lens was the β35 mRNA. These experiments provide a quantitative basis for exploring the differential expression of the δ- and β-crystallin gene families in the chicken lens.
The Relations among Anomie, Dogmatism, and Selected Personal-Social Factors in Asocial Adolescent Boys

Black, Mexican, and white American high school boys were studied to examine relations between observed asocial behavior and anomie, dogmatism, and selected personal-social variables. Hypotheses were predicated on the assumptions that belief systems of anomie adolescent boys would center about a dim world view, indicating closed-mindedness (dogmatism); anomie, closed-minded boys would be more likely than their counterparts to pursue illegitimate goals in order to reduce their anomie condition. The study investigates whether boys who exhibit observed asocial school behavior also manifest high anomie, dogmatism, and self-reported asociality (tested predelinquency). Language: en
Ton versus Dichtung: Two Aesthetic Theories of the Symphonic Poem and Their Sources

The changing relationship between music and language is particularly relevant to the genre of the symphonic poem, as represented in the writings of Hanslick and Liszt—the founding fathers of the autonomy aesthetic and the heteronomy aesthetic—in relation to Hegel's theory of the expressive character of music. While Hanslick bent Hegel to serve his absolutist position better by interpreting Hegel's “spiritual content” as something purely “spiritual” that acts on compatible material, Liszt gave the same passage a programmatic twist by underlining the “content” that would be conveyed in words via music's program. In their writings, Hanslick and Liszt extended Hegel's argument for spiritual content in directions he probably never conceived.
Evidence for a species-specific cell fusion hormone in red algae.

In plants of the red algal genus,Griffithsia, dead intercalary cells are often replaced by the process of cell repair. During this process two cells are produced: one a rhizoid, induces the formation of, stimulates the elongation of and attracts the second, a repair shoot cell. The two cells fuse to form a single shoot cell. The interactions between the rhizoid and the repair shoot appear to be mediated through a diffusible hormone,rhodomorphin. It is possible to induce cell repair, including cell fusion, between two different plants by juxtaposing a rhizoid and a freshly decapitated filament (in vitro cell repair). Rhizoids of three different species ofGriffithsia (G. pacifica, G. tenuis, andG. globulifera) were tested in thein vitro cell repair system to see if rhizoids of one species could induce repair shoot formation and cell fusion in filaments of the other two species. Cell fusion was only induced between plants of the same species; there was no interspecific cell fusion. This suggests that the cell fusion hormone of each species is specific for that species and cannot induce cell repair in other species. When three strains of the speciesG. pacifica were tested in thein vitro repair system, rhizoids of each strain induced repair shoots in decapitated filaments of all three strains and successful fusions occurred in each case. Thus hybrid cells were produced which contained nuclei of different genetic content. However there was evidence of cytoplasmic incompatibility in hybrid cells of some of the crosses.
Hypercomplex structures on Stiefel manifolds

This paper describes a family of hypercomplex structures {% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWefv3ySLgznf% gDOfdaryqr1ngBPrginfgDObYtUvgaiuaacqWFqessaaa!4076!\[\mathcal{I}\]a(p)}a=1,2,3 depending on n real non-zero parameters p = (p1,...,pn) on the Stiefel manifold of complex 2-planes in ℂn for all n > 2. Generally, these hypercomplex structures are inhomogenous with the exception of the case when all the pi's are equal. We also determine the Lie algebra of infinitesimal hypercomplex automorphisms for each structure. Furthermore, we solve the equivalence problem for the hypercomplex structures in the case that the components of p are pairwise commensurable. Finally, some of these examples admit discrete hypercomplex quotients whose topology we also analyze.
The pipsqueak-domain proteins Distal antenna and Distal antenna-related restrict Hunchback neuroblast expression and early-born neuronal identity.

A fundamental question in brain development is how precursor cells generate a diverse group of neural progeny in an ordered manner. Drosophila neuroblasts sequentially express the transcription factors Hunchback (Hb), Kruppel (Kr), Pdm1/Pdm2 (Pdm) and Castor (Cas). Hb is necessary and sufficient to specify early-born temporal identity and, thus, Hb downregulation is essential for specification of later-born progeny. Here, we show that distal antenna (dan) and distal antenna-related (danr), encoding pipsqueak motif DNA-binding domain protein family members, are detected in all neuroblasts during the Hb-to-Cas expression window. Dan and Danr are required for timely downregulation of Hb in neuroblasts and for limiting the number of early-born neurons. Dan and Danr function independently of Seven-up (Svp), an orphan nuclear receptor known to repress Hb expression in neuroblasts, because Dan, Danr and Svp do not regulate each other and dan danr svp triple mutants have increased early-born neurons compared with either dan danr or svp mutants. Interestingly, misexpression of Hb can induce Dan and Svp expression in neuroblasts, suggesting that Hb might activate a negative feedback loop to limit its own expression. We conclude that Dan/Danr and Svp act in parallel pathways to limit Hb expression and allow neuroblasts to transition from making early-born neurons to late-born neurons at the proper time.
Determination of ratios between nonlinear-optical coefficients by using subpicosecond optical rectification

We present a qualitative description of subpicosecond optical rectification and a detailed description of its application in, determining the ratios between nonlinear-optical coefficients. We propose the experimental determination of ratios between second-order optical rectification coefficients in all 15 point groups lacking inversion symmetry and having two or more independent nonvanishing nonlinear-optical coefficients in seven crystal structures. We have chosen three common nonlinear-optical crystal structures, cubic, trigonal, and monoclinic, in our experiments. The experimental results on GaAs, LiTaO3, and organic crystals agree with our theoretical calculation and previously reported data and demonstrate the potentiality and feasibility of the novel technique. We believe that this technique will play an important role in the characterization and development of novel nonlinear-optical materials.
Against Classification Attacks: A Decision Tree Pruning Approach to Privacy Protection in Data Mining

Data-mining techniques can be used not only to study collective behavior about customers, but also to discover private information about individuals. In this study, we demonstrate that decision trees, a popular classification technique for data mining, can be used to effectively reveal individuals' confidential data, even when the identities of the individuals are not present in the data. We propose a novel approach for organizations to protect confidential data from such a classification attack. The key components of this approach include a set of entropy-based measures to evaluate disclosure risks of individual records, an optimal pruning algorithm to identify high-risk records, and a pair of data-swapping procedures to reduce the disclosure risks. The proposed method provides the best trade-off between data utility and privacy protection against classification attacks. It can be applied to data with both numeric and categorical attributes. An experimental study on six real-world data sets shows that the proposed method is very effective in protecting privacy while enabling legitimate data mining and analysis.
Performance of an MLSE-EDC Receiver With SOA-Induced Nonlinear Impairments

We experimentally investigate the performance of maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) electronic dispersion compensation for signals impaired by nonlinear optical effects induced in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Single- and multichannel effects are investigated. We study 10.7-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero, low-pass filter duobinary, and differential phase-shift-keying signals detected as optical duobinary, each with different amounts of uncompensated dispersion before amplification by the SOA and detection. The results show performance variability by the MLSE receiver with increasing nonlinearity, from small penalties back-to-back compared to a standard receiver for most formats to advantages of several decibels with uncompensated dispersion.
Stigma and disclosure: Implications for coming out of the closet

Background: There are costs and benefits for people with psychiatric disorders to decide to disclose publicly these disorders. Aims: The gay and lesbian community has struggled with the same tension and their discoveries about coming out may prove useful for the disclosure concerns of persons with mental illness. Methods: Lessons learned about coming out by the gay and lesbian community include a variety of models that map the stages for successfully coming out; e.g., identity confusion, comparison, identify acceptance, immersion, and identity synthesis. Navigating these stages requires consideration of the costs and benefits of disclosure; we review some of these including social avoidance and disapproval as key costs and improved psychological well-being and interpersonal relations as benefits. Conclusions: The paper ends with a review of levels of disclosure for people who opt to come out. Declaration of interest: This paper was made possible in part by MH62198-01 from the National Institute of Mental ...
Phase segregation and thermoelectric properties of AgPb mSbTem+2 m=2, 4, 6, and 8

The preparation and characterization of the AgPbmSbTem+2 family of compounds with m=2, 4, 6, and 8 is reported. Phase segregation was observed in all of these materials. The lattice thermal conductivity of these samples is low (<1.1 W/m-K). Powder x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and electron microscope investigations of these systems show that ideal solid solutions are not formed. The transport properties of these composite materials are presented and suggest that they could have promising thermoelectric properties when optimized.
Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts by Dot-Blotting Using Monoclonal Antibodies to Cryptosporidium parvum Virus 40-kDa Capsid Protein

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) were prepared against the 40-kDa capsid protein of Cryptosporidium parvum virus (CPV) by immunizing mice with purified recombinant CPV40 protein. In immunoblotting analysis, MAbCPV40-1 bound to a 40-kDa protein in extracts of C. parvum oocysts. This 40-kDa protein was localized in the sporozoite cytoplasm by immunofluorescence (IFA) staining with MAbCPV40-1. In a dot-blot assay, MAbCPV40-1 was capable of detecting 102 non–bleach-treated and 102–103 bleach-treated C. parvum oocysts. MAbCPV40-1 was capable of detecting CPV40 antigen in both soluble and total C. parvum oocyst protein extracts, indicating a potential use for detecting this parasite in environmental samples.
Chemical and enzymatic properties of bridging 5′-S-phosphorothioester linkages in DNA

We describe physicochemical and enzymatic properties of 5' bridging phosphorothioester linkages at specific sites in DNA oligonucleotides. The susceptibility to hydrolysis at various pH values is examined and no measurable hydrolysis is observed at pH 5-9 after 4 days at 25 degrees C. The abilities of three 3'- and 5'-exonuclease enzymes to hydrolyze the DNA past this linkage are examined and it is found that the linkage causes significant pauses at the sulfur linkage for T4 DNA polymerase and calf spleen phosphodiesterase, but not for snake venom phosphodiesterase. Restriction endonuclease (Nsi I) cleavage is also attempted at a 5'-thioester junction and strong resistance to cleavage is observed. Also tested is the ability of polymerase enzymes to utilize templates containing single 5'-S-thioester linkages; both Klenow DNA polymerase and T7 RNA polymerase are found to synthesize complementary strands successfully without any apparent pause at the sulfur linkage. Finally, the thermal stabilities of duplexes containing such linkages are measured; results show that T m values are lowered by a small amount (2 degrees C) when one or two thioester linkages are present in an otherwise unmodified duplex. The chemical stability and surprisingly small perturbation by the 5' bridging sulfur make it a good candidate as a physical and mechanistic probe for specific protein or metal interactions involving this position in DNA.
Reinventing machines: the transmission history of the Leibniz calculator.

This paper argues that we should take into account the process of historical transmission to enrich our understanding of material culture. More specifically, I want to show how the rewriting of history and the invention of tradition impact material objects and our beliefs about them. I focus here on the transmission history of the mechanical calculator invented by the German savant Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Leibniz repeatedly described his machine as functional and wonderfully useful, but in reality it was never finished and didn't fully work. Its internal structure also remained unknown. In 1879, however, the machine re-emerged and was reinvented as the origin of all later calculating machines based on the stepped drum, to protect the priority of the German Leibniz against the Frenchman Thomas de Colmar as the father of mechanical calculation. The calculator was later replicated to demonstrate that it could function ‘after all’, in an effort to deepen this narrative and further enhance Leibniz's computing acumen.
Structure of Golgi Transport Proteins

The function of the Golgi has long been recognized to critically depend on vesicular transport from, to, and within its cisternae, involving constant membrane fission and fusion. These processes are mediated by Arf GTPases and coat proteins, and Rabs, tethers and SNARE proteins, respectively. In this article, we describe structural studies of Golgi coats and tethers and their interactions with SNAREs and GTPases as well as insights regarding membrane traffic processes that these have provided.
Catalysis of Protein Folding by Protein Disulfide Isomerase and Small-Molecule Mimics

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyzes the formation of native disulfide pairings in secretory proteins. The ability of PDI to act as a disulfide isomerase makes it an essential enzyme in eukaryotes. PDI also fulfills other important roles. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of PDI as an oxidant in the endoplasmic reticulum. Intriguing questions remain regarding how PDI is able to catalyze both isomerization and oxidation in vivo. Studies of PDI and its homologues have led to the development of small-molecule folding catalysts that are able to accelerate disulfide isomerization in vitro and in vivo. PDI will continue to provide both an inspiration for the design of such artificial foldases and a benchmark with which to gauge the success of those designs. Here, we review current understanding of the chemistry and biology of PDI, its homologues, and small molecules that mimic its catalytic activity.
High impact exercise is more beneficial than dietary calcium for building bone strength in the growing rat skeleton

The benefits of impact exercise and dietary calcium on bone development are controversial. We used inbred rats under highly controlled conditions to test the independent and combined effects of impact exercise and physiological levels of calcium intakes on the growing skeleton. Forty growing F-344 female rats were fed diets containing either 100% (Ca + ; 0.5% Ca) or 40% (Ca − ; 0.2% Ca) of their calcium requirements. Half of each dietary group was subjected to either 10 impacts per day from 45cm freefall drops (Impact + ), or no impact (Impact − ). All rats received a free choice of physical activity period daily. After 8 weeks, the mechanical strength, volumetric density, geometry, and microarchitecture of their ulnae were measured. Body weight and bone length did not differ among groups. On both diets, freefall impact resulted in greater bone strength, cross-sectional moments of inertia, and endosteal and periosteal circumferences in the shaft. Only Ca + resulted in greater shaft volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) but that did not affect shaft breaking strength. In the bone ends, both Impact + and Ca + positively affected density and structure of both cortical and trabecular bone but the effects of Impact + were more pervasive. In the proximal end, Impact + resulted in greater bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the trabecular bone due to greater trabecular thickness, and cortical thickness was greater due to a smaller endosteal circumference. Impact + exerted a compensatory effect on vBMD and BV/TV in Ca − rats at the proximal site. In Impact − rats only, Ca + resulted in greater total and cortical vBMD and BV/TV in the proximal ulna. Impact + and Ca + exerted additive effects on cortical bone area (BA) in the proximal ulna and on total BA, periosteal circumference, and trabecular vBMD in the distal ulna. In conclusion, impact exercise was more beneficial than adequate dietary calcium to growing bones, although sufficient dietary calcium was beneficial in rats not subjected to impact exercise.
Vitamin Supplementation in the Elderly

Vitamin supplementation is fairly common among the elderly. Supplements are often used to prevent disease and improve health. In the United States, the use of dietary supplements has continued to increase over the last 30 years, and more than half of adults report using one or more dietary supplements. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables does have a protective effect on health. However, clinical trials on the use of vitamin supplements for promotion of health and prevention of disease have failed to demonstrate the strong associations seen in observational studies.
Relative input strength rapidly regulates dendritic structure of chick auditory brainstem neurons

Competition between presynaptic inputs has been suggested to shape dendritic form. This hypothesis can be directly tested on bitufted, auditory neurons in chicken nucleus laminaris (NL). Each NL neuron contains two relatively symmetrical dendritic arbors; the dorsal dendrites receive excitatory glutamatergic input from the ipsilateral ear, and the ventral dendrites receive corresponding input from the contralateral ear. To assess the effect of relative synaptic strength on NL dendrites, we used single-cell electroporation; electrophysiology; and live, two-photon laser scanning microscopy to manipulate both the amount and the balance of synaptic input to the two matching sets of dendrites. With simultaneous activation, both sets of dendrites changed together, either growing or retracting over the imaging period. In contrast, stimulation of only one set of dendrites (either dorsal or ventral) resulted in the unstimulated dendrites losing total dendritic branch length, whereas the stimulated dendrites exhibited a tendency to grow. In this system, balanced input leads to balanced changes in the two sets of dendrites, but imbalanced input results in differential changes. Time-lapse imaging revealed that NL dendrites respond to differential stimulation by first decreasing the size of their unstimulated dendrites and then increasing the size of their stimulated dendrites. This result suggests that the relative activity of presynaptic neurons dynamically controls dendritic structure in NL and that dendritic real estate can rapidly be shifted from inactive inputs to active inputs.
Context effects on perceived position: Sustained and transient temporal influences on spatial interactions

The effects of sustained and transient responses to inducing lines on the perceived position of nearby test lines were measured as constant errors in the vernier alignment of the test lines. The sustained response to the continued presence of the inducing lines had no effect on the perceived position of the test lines for very small inducing/test-line distances, and a repulsive effect for larger distances. Transient responses to the onset of the inducing lines had attractive effects for small distances, whereas transient responses to the offset of the inducing lines had repulsive effects for all distances tested. Attraction and repulsion effects on perceived position are accounted for by facilitating and inhibiting interactions that influence the relative sensitivities of an ensemble of position-selective detecting units.
Laser zona drilling does not induce hsp70i transcription in blastomeres of eight-cell mouse embryos

To assess whether zona drilling with a 1,480-nm laser induces heat shock in eight-cell embryos, we measured hsp70i RNA levels in sets of single blastomeres isolated after laser treatment of mouse embryos that had or had not been heated at 43°C. Unlike heating, laser zona drilling did not stimulate hsp70i expression, even in the blastomeres closest to the laser beam, corroborating the safety of this procedure for assisted reproduction.
Graduating Senior Assessments Of Curriculum, Educational Outcomes, And The Learning Environment

Business school faculty and administrations are burdened with seemingly endless directives to update and upgrade curricula and to relate curriculum objectives to outcomes assessment in order to meet demands of accrediting agencies and the business community. The responsibility of assessing outcomes of business school programs is becoming of increasingly paramount importance. This work will describe the efforts of a business school to elicit evaluative opinions of its graduating seniors in an attempt to evaluate the curriculum, its delivery systems, and the overall educational environment.
Mobile Telestroke During Ambulance Transport Is Feasible in a Rural EMS Setting: The iTREAT Study

Abstract Background: The use of telemedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke, or telestroke, is a well-accepted method of practice improving geographic disparities in timely access t...
Cyber security education through gaming cybersecurity games can be interactive, fun, educational and engaging

Cyber security is an active and evolving field. Among its many challenges are educating minors in the safe and responsible use of the Internet. To date, many computer games have been developed which seek to teach these concepts. Through a grant funding from The National Science Foundation, students at MassBay Community College have researched and evaluated currently available games. With an end goal of developing new game platforms to teach cyber-security, current games were evaluated based on their effectiveness in imparting the material and keeping students engaged. After research and evaluation of games currently available to help understand the current market, this project is focusing on the development of new games designed to teach cyber security concepts to minors aged 11--14.
Helpfulness of Online User Reviews: More is Less

Online review has been found to be import to online businesses. The sheer number of online reviews hinders websites users’ ability to draw useful information from previous users. Thus, a helpfulness mechanism which facilitates users to locate the most helpful reviews adds value to websites. This paper explores the helpfulness of online review from a cognitive science perspective. Drawing upon cognitive load theory and source credibility heuristics cues, the paper develops a framework to understand the cognitive process of review readers to evaluate the helpfulness of a review. The study testes the proposed model using 2,371 actually reviews from a popular website. The results support the theoretical model. The distinct finding that is different from previous studies is an inverse “U-shaped” effect of word counts on review helpfulness. In addition, the study found an inverse “U-shaped” effect of readability on review helpfulness.
Candidate Choice in the 2008 Election: The Primary Battle

Was the Iraq War a critical issue that helped Obama and McCain win the vote in nominating contests of their respective parties? Both major-party standard bearers had made an issue of the Iraq War, albeit in sharply contrasting ways. The data for our analysis largely come from exit polls of actual voters in primaries (and some caucuses) of both parties during the 2008 nomination cycle. Our analysis controls for the effects of other issues as well as familiar demographics (race, age, and gender for Democrats), ideological fault lines (for Republicans), home state advantage, and the possibility of a momentum dynamic in sequential contests like primary elections. We find that the Iraq War, indeed, was a factor that helped Obama win the Democratic nomination and, to an even greater degree, helped McCain win the Republican one. In both instances, the type of issue-voting evident in the primary battle supports the 'valence' model rather than the 'position' model of politics. Concern with the Iraq War drove primary voters into the arms of Obama or McCain, respectively, not agreement with the candidates’ positions on the war.
Mac layer and routing protocols for wireless ad hoc networks with asymmetric links and performance evaluation studies

In a heterogeneous mobile ad hoc network (MANET ), assorted devices with different computation and communication capabilities co-exist. In this thesis, we consider the case when the nodes of a MANET have various degrees of mobility and range, and the communication links are asymmetric. Many routing protocols for ad hoc networks routinely assume that all communication links are symmetric, if node A can hear node B and node B can also hear node A. Most current MAC layer protocols are unable to exploit the asymmetric links present in a network, thus leading to an inefficient overall bandwidth utilization, or, in the worst case, to lack of connectivity. To exploit the asymmetric links, the protocols must deal with the asymmetry of the path from a source node to a destination node which affects either the delivery of the original packets, or the paths taken by acknowledgments, or both. Furthermore, the problem of hidden nodes requires a more careful analysis in the case of asymmetric links. MAC layer and routing protocols for ad hoc networks with asymmetric links require a rigorous performance analysis. Analytical models are usually unable to provide even approximate solutions to questions such as end-to-end delay, packet loss ratio, throughput, etc. Traditional simulation techniques for large-scale wireless networks require vast amounts of storage and computing cycles rarely available on single computing systems. In our search for an effective solution to study the performance of wireless networks we investigate the time-parallel simulation. Time-parallel simulation has received significant attention in the past. The advantages, as well as, the theoretical and practical limitations of time-parallel simulation have been extensively researched for many applications when the complexity of the models involved severely limits the applicability of analytical studies and is unfeasible with traditional simulation techniques. Our goal is to study the behavior of large systems consisting of possibly thousands of nodes over extended periods of time and obtain results efficiently, and time-parallel simulation enables us to achieve this objective. We conclude that MAC layer and routing protocols capable of using asymmetric links are more complex than traditional ones, but can improve the connectivity, and provide better performance. We are confident that approximate results for various performance metrics of wireless networks obtained using time-parallel simulation are sufficiently accurate and able to provide the necessary insight into the inner workings of the protocols.
Applications of Psychological Safety to Developmental Science: Reflections and Recommendations for Next Steps

This commentary reviews and synthesizes the work of this special issue on psychological safety. At its core, psychological safety stems from a combination of individual attributes and contextual conditions that combine to produce moments in which individuals perceive their own agency and show willingness to take risks, grow, and change. This commentary reflects upon the contributions of the articles in this special issue, describes why bringing a developmental perspective to the study of psychological safety may be particularly valuable, and suggests challenges and opportunities for future work on psychological safety.
The Development of the Immature Forms of Stomoxys calcitrans

Development times of the egg, larval, and pupal stages of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) were shorter at 29.4°C than at 23.9°C. At 35°C, development time of the egg and early larval stage was shorter than at 23.9°C and 29.4°C, but the 3rd instar and pupal development were longer. Pupal yield was highest at 29.4°C. Adult emergence ranged from 95% at 23.9°C to 13% at 35°C. Egg hatch and adult eclosion data have a distinctly sigmoid-shaped relationship. Each stage of development required a constant part of the total development time for a given temperature.
Terminology of blood groups.

The discovery of new blood-group systems by British investigators has served to accentuate the problem of nomenclature of blood groups. A satisfactory scientific nomenclature is possible only when reliable and adequate information is available. For example, when the M-N types were discovered by Landsteiner and Levine, the following tentative designations for the types were adopted: M + N —, M + N + and M —N+. As soon as the mechanism of heredity of the M-N types was established, and the nonexistence of type M —N— was demon-