cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small polydisperse circular DNA of HeLa cells

Abstract Small, polydisperse closed-circular DNA has been studied in HeLa cells and has also been found in several other animal cells in culture. The DNA is recovered from ethidium bromide/CsCl gradients from whole-cell extracts or from homogenates from which nuclei and mitochondria have been removed; it is absent from purified nuclei and mitochondria. Exponentially growing cells contain 50 to 200 circles. Cycloheximide treatment results in a 20- to 30-fold increase. A 10- to 20-fold increase is seen in cells which remain at saturation density for two to five days. The size distribution obtained by electron microscopy ranges from 0.1 μm to more than 2 μm, with a mean length of 0.32 μm and a weight-average molecular weight ( M w ) of 1.0 × 106. The analytical band sedimentation patterns were consistent with the electron microscopy size distribution. The weight-average sedimentation coefficients, 14.8 s at pH 8 and 26.5 s at pH 12.5, also indicate an M w of 1.0 × 106. The neutral buoyant density, 1.692 g/ml., indicates a G + C content of 38 mole %. At pH 12.5, the closed DNA exhibits the expected buoyant shift, and is resistant to the first alkali-induced nick for at least 24 hours. The complementary strands are not detectably different in buoyant density at pH 12.5. The average superhelix density of spc-DNA § is slightly higher than that of mitochondrial DNA of these cells. The genetic complexity of spc-DNA from cycloheximide-treated cells rules out the possibility that circles are composed of subunits having the size of the smaller circles in the population. Cycloheximide was used to increase the amount of spc-DNA in cells first labeled with [3H]thymidine and then allowed to grow one generation in unlabeled medium. The specific activities of spc-DNA and nuclear DNA were identical, suggesting that spc-DNA arises from pre-existing nuclear DNA. A possible mechanism for the formation of spc-DNA is discussed. Open circular spc-DNA was also detected in exponentially growing cells, as well as in cycloheximide-treated cells. The amounts in both cases were one-fourth to one-half of the amount in the closed form.
Perfectly matched layer for the time domain finite element method

A new perfectly matched layer (PML) formulation for the time domain finite element method is described and tested for Maxwell's equations. In particular, we focus on the time integration scheme which is based on Galerkin's method with a temporally piecewise linear expansion of the electric field. The time stepping scheme is constructed by forming a linear combination of exact and trapezoidal integration applied to the temporal weak form, which reduces to the well-known Newmark scheme in the case without PML. Extensive numerical tests on scattering from infinitely long metal cylinders in two dimensions show good accuracy and no signs of instabilities. For a circular cylinder, the proposed scheme indicates the expected second order convergence toward the analytic solution and gives less than 2% root-mean-square error in the bistatic radar cross section (RCS) for resolutions with more than 10 points per wavelength. An ogival cylinder, which has sharp corners supporting field singularities, shows similar accuracy in the monostatic RCS.
Surgical Management of Peyronie’s Disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) has a significant impact on the quality of life of both patients and their partners due to the compromised sexual function and physical deformation resulting from the condition. PD is a connective tissue disorder marked by fibrotic healing of the tunica albuginea, leading to penile deformities including curvature, shortening, loss of girth, hourglass appearance, and hinging. Despite the multiple medical therapies available, surgery is the gold standard of treatment once the plaque has stabilized. We present a review of the disease process, preoperative evaluation, operative planning, surgical treatments with outcomes and complications, and nascent developments in surgical management and graft development. Options include tunical lengthening procedures, tunical shortening procedures, and penile prosthesis. Decision-making is governed by degree of curvature, erectile function, and associated penile deformities. In cases with curvature of less than 60-70 degrees, adequate penile length, and no hourglass deformity, patients are candidates for tunical shortening procedures. Patients with curvature greater than 60-70 degrees, penile hourglass or hinge-destabilizing deformities, and adequate erectile function should be counseled with regard to tunical lengthening procedures. Patients with poor preoperative erectile function should undergo inflatable penile prosthesis placement, with possible secondary straightening procedures. Technique selection should be based upon surgeon preference, expertise, and experience, as evidence does not necessarily support one procedure over another.
Between Field and Cooking Pot: The Political Economy of Marketwomen in Peru

Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. The Peruvian Political Economy 3. Marketwomen and Theory 4. The Marketplace 5. The Work of Marketwomen 6. Marketwomen, Family, and Society 7. Social Relations and Politics of Marketwomen 8. Economic Crisis and the Campaign against Marketers 9. Conceptualizing Marketwomen Appendix Notes Glossary of Spanish and Quechua Terms Bibliography Index
Liquid‐state theory of the density dependent conformation of nonpolar linear polymers

We use the two solvation potentials discussed in the previous paper and polymer reference interaction‐site model (PRISM) theory to calculate the mutually consistent single‐molecule conformation and liquid structure of model linear flexible nonpolar polymers. We focus on the mean end‐to‐end distance R2 and radius of gyration Rg of the single chain as functions of polymer density. Our calculations are compared to computer simulations to assess their accuracy, and some aspects of the general trends with density predicted are discussed. Two methods of calculating the conformation of the single chain in the solvation potential are used, one is Monte Carlo simulation, the other, introduced in this paper, employs a generating functional. We cannot unambiguously confirm the accuracy of one solvation potential over the other; at low density they give identical results, and the exact values are too few at high density. However, we are inclined to question the accuracy of the hypernetted‐chain (HNC) style potential ...
Developing bivalent ligands to target CUG triplet repeats, the causative agent of myotonic dystrophy type 1.

An expanded CUG repeat transcript (CUGexp) is the causative agent of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) by sequestering muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1), a regulator of alternative splicing. On the basis of a ligand (1) that was previously reported to be active in an in vitro assay, we present the synthesis of a small library containing 10 dimeric ligands (4–13) that differ in length, composition, and attachment point of the linking chain. The oligoamino linkers gave a greater gain in affinity for CUG RNA and were more effective when compared to oligoether linkers. The most potent in vitro ligand (9) was shown to be aqueous-soluble and both cell- and nucleus-permeable, displaying almost complete dispersion of MBNL1 ribonuclear foci in a DM1 cell model. Direct evidence for the bioactivity of 9 was observed in its ability to disperse ribonuclear foci in individual live DM1 model cells using time-lapse confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Use of adjuvant sorafenib in liver transplant recipients with high-risk hepatocellular carcinoma.

The efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular (HCC) is limited by tumor recurrence rates of 10–15%. We undertook this pilot study to examine the use of sorafenib as adjuvant therapy in high-risk LT recipients. Methods. We prospectively enrolled patients transplanted for HCC into a treatment protocol utilizing sorafenib if their explant examination showed evidence of viable tumor exceeding Milan criteria. We utilized as historical controls patients transplanted previously, whose explant tumor characteristics exceeded Milan criteria, but who were not “preemptively” treated with sorafenib. Wilcoxon two-sample test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare survival and recurrence rates between the two groups. Results. Seven patients were treated with sorafenib and compared to 12 historical “controls.” Two of 7 treated patients suffered from HCC recurrence. Of the comparison group, 9 experienced HCC recurrence and all succumbed to disease. Dose reduction improved tolerance of drug. The overall rate of HCC recurrence was decreased in the adjuvant therapy group compared to historical controls (29% versus 75%, P = 0.07). Disease free 1-year survival for the treated versus untreated group was 100% versus 66%, respectively. Conclusion. Adjuvant use of sorafenib is safe and decreases risk of HCC recurrence in high-risk LT recipients.
Rescuing the Zygote Argument

In a recent paper, Kristin Mickelson argues that Alfred Mele’s Zygote Argument, a popular argument for the claim that the truth of determinism would preclude free action or moral responsibility, is not valid. This sort of objection is meant to generalize to various manipulation arguments. According to Mickelson, the only way to make such arguments valid is to supplement them with an argument that is an inference to the best explanation. In this paper, I argue that there are two other ways in which the proponent of such manipulation arguments can modify their argument, neither of which requires an inference to the best explanation. I then briefly consider and respond to a worry with one of these proposed solutions.
Evaluating the role of scratchpad memories in chip multiprocessors for sparse matrix computations

Scratchpad memories (SPMs) have been shown to be more energy efficient and have faster access times than traditional hardware-managed caches. This, coupled with the predictability of data presence, makes SPMs an attractive alternative to cache for many scientific applications. In this work, we consider an SPM based system for increasing the performance and the energy efficiency of sparse matrix-vector multiplication on a chip multi-processor. We ensure the efficient utilization of the SPM by profiling the application for the data structures which do not perform well in traditional cache. We evaluate the impact of using an SPM at all levels of the on-chip memory hierarchy. Our experimental results show an average increase in performance by 13.5-15% and an average decrease in the energy consumption by 28-33% on an 8-core system depending on which level of the hierarchy the SPM is utilized.
Synaptology of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-immunoreactive cells in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (monodelphis domestica)

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry were used to examine the structure of LHRH neurons and fibers in the nervus terminalis of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and fibers form a loose plexus within the fascicular network of the ganglion terminale on the median surface of the olfactory bulb. There are at least two populations of LHRH-immunoreactive neurons within the network of the ganglion terminale: fusiform and round neurons similar to those described in the forebrain. At the ultrastructural level, axosomatic and axodendritic contacts were seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive elements in the ganglion terminale. These contacts were classified as 1) synaptic input, with asymmetric synapses seen between a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive cell body or a nonimmunoreactive axon terminal and a LHRH-immunoreactive dendritic process. 2) synaptic output, with symmetric synapses seen between LHRH-immunoreactive and nonimmunoreactive processes. This study is the first systematic examination of the ultrastructure of the LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and their synaptic contacts in the nervus terminalis. The possible integrative roles for this LHRH-immunoreactive system are discussed.
Improved and less load dependent three-phase current-controlled inverter with hysteretic current controllers

A concept of the so-called inner feedback in three-phase current-controlled inverters with hysteretic current controllers is introduced. Stability of the inverter at various frequencies under two different applied loads have been studied. An inertial feedback loop is added to each controller. This modification affects operating characteristics of the inverter by enforcing a switching pattern of low dependence on the load, resulting in significantly improved quality of the output current. >
Similarities and Differences in Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Collaboration Among Hospice Team Members

This study surveyed 4 core hospice professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains) on their perceived level of interdisciplinary collaboration, the influences of interdisciplinary collaboration, and job satisfaction to determine potential similarities and differences based on profession and various demographic characteristics of the members or member hospices. Analysis found that there are overall no differences based on demographic characteristics. Differences between professions, while few, were largely in the area of perceptions on relationships between members of the hospice team. Specifically, social workers appear to perceive themselves as less connected to the other members of the interdisciplinary team, an area theorized to influence interdisciplinary collaboration. Difference between professions was also found in job satisfaction. Implications for hospice practice and interdisciplinary education are discussed.
Accreditation of emerging oral health professions: options for dental therapy education programs.

Objectives: The study explored the options for accreditation of educational programs to prepare a new oral health provider, the dental therapist. Methods: A literature review and interviews of 10 content experts were conducted. The content experts represented a wide array of interests, including individuals associated with the various dental stakeholder organizations in education, accreditation, practice, and licensure, as well as representatives of non-dental accrediting organizations whose experience could inform the study. Results: Development of an educational accreditation program for an emerging profession requires collaboration among key stakeholders representing education, practice, licensure, and other interests. Options for accreditation of dental therapy education programs include establishment of a new independent accrediting agency; seeking recognition as a committee within the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; or working with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) to create a new accreditation program within CODA. These options are not mutually exclusive, and more than one accreditation program could potentially exist. Conclusions: An educational accreditation program is built upon a well-defined field, where there is a demonstrated need for the occupation and for accreditation of educational programs that prepare individuals to enter that occupation. The fundamental value of accreditation is as one player in the overall scheme of improving the quality of higher education delivered to students and, ultimately, the delivery of health services. Leaders concerned with the oral health workforce will need to consider future directions and the potential roles of new oral health providers as they determine appropriate directions for educational accreditation for dental therapy.
Inference of Gene Regulatory Networks from Time Course Gene Expression Data Using Neural Networks and Swarm Intelligence

We present a novel algorithm that combines a recurrent neural network (RNN) and two swarm intelligence (SI) methods to infer a gene regulatory network (GRN) from time course gene expression data. The algorithm uses ant colony optimization (ACO) to identify the optimal architecture of an RNN, while the weights of the RNN are optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Our goal is to construct an RNN whose response mimics gene expression data generated by time course DNA microarray experiments. We observed promising results in applying the proposed hybrid SI-RNN algorithm to infer networks of interaction from simulated and real-world gene expression data.
Evaluation of lipid peroxidation level in corn dried distillers grains with solubles.

Lipid peroxidation in feed can negative- ly affect animal health, growth performance, and meat quality. The objective of this study was to determine the lipid peroxidation level in corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) samples from 31 U.S. ethanol plants and compare results with a corn sample obtained from a corn processing plant. Lipids from each sample were extracted with hexane and analyzed for peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Peroxide values of DDGS samples ranged from 4.2 to 84.1 milliequivalents (meq)/kg oil (CV = 97.5%). The greatest PV among DDGS samples was 27 times greater than that of the corn sample (3.1 meq/kg oil). The TBARS values for DDGS samples ranged from 1.0 to 5.2 ng malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalents/mg oil (CV = 43.6%). The DDGS sample with the great- est TBARS value was 25 times greater than that of the corn sample (0.2 ng MDA equivalents/mg oil). Color of DDGS samples was measured by Minolta L*, a*, and b*, corresponding to the degree of lightness, redness, and yellowness, respectively. Correlations between PV, TBARS, and color were determined. Values of PV and TBARS were correlated positively (r = 0.81; P < 0.001). Both TBARS and PV were correlated negative- ly with L* (r = -0.73; P < 0.001, and r = -0.63; P < 0.001, respectively) and b* (r = -0.67; P < 0.001, and r = -0.57; P < 0.001, respectively), which suggests that darker and less yellow-colored DDGS samples were more likely to have a greater lipid peroxidation level, as measured by TBARS and PV, compared with lighter or more yellow-colored DDGS samples. However, a* was not correlated with either PV (P = 0.97) or TBARS (P = 0.66). These results indicate that color can be a prelimi- nary indicator of lipid peroxidation level in DDGS, but a more reliable assessment of peroxidation level is achieved by measuring PV and TBARS.
Breaking the status quo: Improving 3D gesture recognition with spatially convenient input devices

We present a systematic study on the recognition of 3D gestures using spatially convenient input devices. Specifically, we examine the linear acceleration-sensing Nintendo Wii Remote coupled with the angular velocity-sensing Nintendo Wii MotionPlus. For the study, we created a 3D gesture database, collecting data on 25 distinct gestures totalling 8500 gestures samples. Our experiment explores how the number of gestures and the amount of gestures samples used to train two commonly used machine learning algorithms, a linear and AdaBoost classifier, affect overall recognition accuracy. We examined these gesture recognition algorithms with user dependent and user independent training approaches and explored the affect of using the Wii Remote with and without the Wii MotionPlus attachment. Our results show that in the user dependent case, both the Ad-aBoost and linear classification algorithms can recognize up to 25 gestures at over 90% accuracy, with 15 training samples per gesture, and up to 20 gestures at over 90% accuracy, with only five training samples per gesture. In particular, all 25 gestures could be recognized at over 99% accuracy with the linear classifier using 15 training samples per gesture, with the Wii Remote coupled with the Wii MotionPlus. In addition, both algorithms can recognize up to nine gestures at over 90% accuracy using a user independent training database with 100 samples per gesture. The Wii MotionPlus attachment played a significant role in improving accuracy in both the user dependent and independent cases.
Divorcing diagnosis from treatment: Contemporary management of low-risk prostate cancer

Today, the majority of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer will present with low-risk features of the disease. Because prostate cancer often takes an insidious course, it is debated whether the majority of these men require radical treatment and the accompanying derangement of quality of life domains imposed by surgery, radiation, and hormonal therapy. Investigators have identified various selection criteria for "insignificant disease," or that which can be monitored for disease progression while safely delaying radical treatment. In addition to the ideal definition of low risk, a lack of randomized trials comparing the various options for treatment in this group of men poses a great challenge for urologists. Early outcomes from active surveillance cohorts support its use in carefully selected men with low-risk disease features, but frequent monitoring is required. Patient selection and disease monitoring methods will require refinement that will likely be accomplished through the increased use of biomarkers and specialized imaging techniques.
The magnetochronology of Barstovian mammals in southwestern Montana and implications for the initiation of Neogene crustal extension in the northern Rocky Mountains

Magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data have been used to construct a chronologic framework for the deposition of the Hepburn9s Mesa Formation in the Yellow-stone Valley of southwestern Montana. Deposition spanned an interval from ∼16.8 Ma to at least 14.3 Ma, and possibly to 13.8 Ma. The magnetic data help to constrain the Barstovian land-mammal age in the northern Rocky Mountains, as well as two interval zones defined within it. The major faunal boundary ages determined here are indistin-guishable from ages for these same boundaries at the Barstovian type locality in southern California. Consequently, observed differences in generic and species composition between these regions are likely to reflect biogeographic and ecological variability, rather than temporal separation. When used in conjunction with biostratigraphic data from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, these new dates improve the time constraints that can be placed on the duration (∼1 m.y.) of the "mid-Tertiary unconformity" in the northern Rockies and on the inception at ∼17 Ma of the interval of crustal extension that led to extensive intermontane-basin development during the Neogene.
Insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the Zucker fatty rat: a case for differential tissue regulation.

Obesity is one of the most common health care problems in the Western world.1 It is associated with hypertension, hyperlipidemia and a predisposition to Type II Diabetes Mellitus, which probably accounts, in part, for the high risk these patients have of accelerated atherosclerosis. Given the numbers of people affected and the predisposition these patients have to multiple medical problems, an understanding of the pathophysiology involved in the causes for, and perpetuation of, obesity would aid our ability to possibly prevent and more effectively treat this disease.
An Indirect Adaptive Control Scheme in the Presence of Actuator and Sensor Failures

The problem of controlling a system in the presence of unknown actuator and sensor faults is addressed. The system is assumed to have groups of actuators, and groups of sensors, with each group consisting of multiple redundant similar actuators or sensors. The types of actuator faults considered consist of unknown actuators stuck in unknown positions, as well as reduced actuator effectiveness. The sensor faults considered include unknown biases and outages. The approach employed for fault detection and estimation consists of a bank of Kalman filters based on multiple models, and subsequent control reconfiguration to mitigate the effect of biases caused by failed components as well as to obtain stability and satisfactory performance using the remaining actuators and sensors. Conditions for fault identifiability are presented, and the adaptive scheme is applied to an aircraft flight control example in the presence of actuator failures. Simulation results demonstrate that the method can rapidly and accurately detect faults and estimate the fault values, thus enabling safe operation and acceptable performance in spite of failures.
Predicting Early Adolescents' Academic Achievement, Social Competence, and Physical Health from Parenting, Ego Resilience, and Engagement Coping.

This study examined ego resilience and engagement coping as mediators of the relationships between supportive and controlling parenting practices and early adolescents’ academic achievement, social...
Total synthesis and biological evaluation of monorhizopodin and 16-epi-monorhizopodin.

For many years, polyketide natural products have provided the scientific community with a rich source of novel molecular architectures, many of which have become important therapeutics for clinical use.[1] In 1993, the polyketide rhizopodin was isolated from the myxobacterium Myxococcus stipitatus.[2] It was shown to display an interesting array of biological properties, including potent anti-tumor activity against a range of cancer cell lines in the low nanomolar range and the ability to inhibit the polymerization of actin.[2,3] Despite its original structural assignment as the 19-membered monomeric lactone 1a (monorhizopodin), recent studies revealed dimeric structure 2 to be the correct architecture of rhizopodin (Figure 1).[4] These molecules have started to attract attention from the synthetic community, although no total syntheses have been reported to date.[5]
Individual differences in working memory capacity and episodic retrieval: Examining the dynamics of delayed and continuous distractor free recall.

Two experiments explored the possibility that individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) partially reflect differences in the size of the search set from which items are retrieved. High- and low-WMC individuals were tested in delayed (Experiment 1) and continuous distractor (Experiment 2) free recall with varying list lengths. Across both experiments low-WMC individuals recalled fewer items than high-WMC individuals, recalled more previous list intrusions than high-WMC individuals, and recalled at a slower rate than high-WMC individuals. It is argued that low-WMC individuals' episodic retrieval deficits are partially due to the fact that these individuals search through a larger set of items than high-WMC individuals. Simulations based on a random search model were consistent with these general conclusions.
Role of basic leucine zipper proteins in transcriptional regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene

The regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene transcription by cAMP-dependent mechanisms occurs in the absence of a consensus cAMP response element (CRE, TGACGTGA). This regulation is coordinated by multiple transcription factors that bind to sequence-specific elements located approximately 150 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Among the proteins that bind within this region, the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family of transcription factors, i.e. CRE binding protein (CREB)/CRE modulator (CREM)/activating transcription factor (ATF), activator protein 1 (AP-1; Fos/Jun), and CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta), interact with an overlapping region (-81/-72 bp) in the StAR promoter, mediate stimulus-transcription coupling of cAMP signaling and play integral roles in regulating StAR gene expression. These bZIP proteins are structurally similar and bind to DNA sequences as dimers; however, they exhibit discrete transcriptional activities, interact with several transcription factors and other properties that contribute in their regulatory functions. The 5'-flanking -81/-72 bp region of the StAR gene appears to function as a key element within a complex cAMP response unit by binding to different bZIP members, and the StAR promoter displays variable states of cAMP responsivity contingent upon the occupancy of these cis-elements with these transcription factors. The expression and activities of CREB/CREM/ATF, Fos/Jun and C/EBPbeta have been demonstrated to be mediated by a plethora of extracellular signals, and the phosphorylation of these proteins at several Ser and Thr residues allows recruitment of the transcriptional coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP) or its functional homolog p300 to the StAR promoter. This review will focus on the current level of understanding of the roles of selective bZIP family proteins within the complex series of processes involved in regulating StAR gene transcription.
Evaluating message understanding systems: an analysis of the third message understanding conference (MUC-3)

This paper describes and analyzes the results of the Third Message Understanding Conference (MUC-3). It reviews the purpose, history, and methodology of the conference, summarizes the participating systems, discusses issues of measuring system effectiveness, describes the linguistic phenomena tests, and provides a critical look at the evaluation in terms of the lessons learned. One of the common problems with evaluations is that the statistical significance of the results is unknown. In the discussion of system performance, the statistical significance of the evaluation results is reported and the use of approximate randomization to calculate the statistical significance of the results of MUC-3 is described.
High precision polymer deposition onto microcantilever sensors using electrohydrodynamic printing

The ability to deposit functional organic layers with micrometer-scale resolution and precision is critical to the sensitivity and performance of chemical or biological sensors based on microcantilevers. This paper reports the use of electrohydrodynamic jetting to deposit micrometer sized droplets of pure polymer. The polymer droplets were deposited onto microcantilever sensors, with control over droplet size, location, and spacing. Cantilever-based gravimetry analyzed the polymer droplets by examining the shift in microcantilever resonance frequency resulting from droplet deposition. The resonance shift of 150 – 4130 Hz corresponded to a polymer mass of 4.5 – 135 pg. The electrohydrodynamic method is a precise way to deposit multiple materials onto micromechanical sensors with greater resolution than current methods.
Multi-Family Groups for Multi-Stressed Families Initial Outcomes and Future Implications

Purpose:To examine the influence of caregiver stress on attendance among urban families involved in a multiple family group (MFG) intervention, as well as pre/post changes in childhood behavioral difficulties, caregiver stress, caregiver depressive symptoms, caregiver coping by substance use, and caregiver motivation to change.Methods:Univariate analyses assessed pre/post differences in outcomes between and within stress groups. Post hoc analyses accounted for missing data and the potential influence of regression to the mean.Results:High caregiver stress was associated with lower rates of attendance in MFG over time. Despite attending the fewest sessions, highest stressed caregivers experienced the most pre/post improvement on measures of caregiver stress and childhood behavioral difficulties.Discussion:Involvement in an MFG intervention is associated with high rates of attendance and meaningful improvements in child and caregiver outcomes, with the most distressed families reporting the greatest reducti...
Mary to Veronica: John Audelay's Sequence of Salutations to God-Bearing Women

Literary historians have been working productively in recent years to reclaim the texture of early-fifteenth-century English poetry in contexts of politics and religion. To the list of major authors we should add John Audelay, chaplain of Knockin (fl. 1417–26), setting him equally beside his contemporaries Thomas Hoccleve, John Lydgate, and Margery Kempe. As a vernacular poet with a name, a provenance, and a rich body of work, Audelay warrants serious regard. His oeuvre displays an artistry that is different from, but as innovative and revelatory of his times as, those of his celebrated contemporaries.
Efficacy of amitraz applied to white-tailed deer by the '4-poster' topical treatment device in controlling free-living lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).

White-tailed deer treated themselves with a commercial pour-on acaricide formulation containing 2% amitraz as they fed from an ARS-patented ‘4-poster’ topical treatment device. Whole kernel corn attracted deer to a single device placed in each of two deer-fenced pastures. In the treatment pasture, the rollers of the treatment device were charged with the acaricide, whereas the rollers of the device in the other pasture remained untreated. Deer were allowed to use the ‘4-posters’ during periods of tick activity beginning in early to midspring and lasting through late summer to early fall for three consecutive years. Pretreatment sampling of adults and nymphs with dry-ice traps and larval masses with flip cloths showed no significant differences in population indices between the two pastures; however, after the third year of treatment, control of nymphal and adult ticks in the treated pasture was 91.9 and 93.7%, respectively, when compared with the untreated pasture. Control of larval masses increased from 68.4% in year 1 to 96.4% in year 2, but declined to 88.0% in year 3, probably because of the presence of feral hogs. This study demonstrated that application of amitraz to white-tailed deer through free-choice interaction with a ‘4-poster’ device significantly reduced the abundance of free-living lone star ticks in a deer-fenced experimental pasture. Moreover, the yearly pattern of incremental increases in control and the final percentage control values for all three parasitic life stages in this topical application study were similar in magnitude to that observed in a previously conducted study in which the systemic acaricide ivermectin was used to reduce populations of free-living ticks by controlling ticks on deer.
The Species versus Subspecies Conundrum: Quantitative Delimitation from Integrating Multiple Data Types within a Single Bayesian Approach in Hercules Beetles

With the recent attention and focus on quantitative methods for species delimitation, an overlooked but equally important issue regards what has actually been delimited. This study investigates the apparent arbitrariness of some taxonomic distinctions, and in particular how species and subspecies are assigned. Specifically, we use a recently developed Bayesian model-based approach to show that in the Hercules beetles (genus Dynastes) there is no statistical difference in the probability that putative taxa represent different species, irrespective of whether they were given species or subspecies designations. By considering multiple data types, as opposed to relying exclusively on genetic data alone, we also show that both previously recognized species and subspecies represent a variety of points along the speciation spectrum (i.e., previously recognized species are not systematically further along the continuum than subspecies). For example, based on evolutionary models of divergence, some taxa are statistically distinguishable on more than one axis of differentiation (e.g., along both phenotypic and genetic dimensions), whereas other taxa can only be delimited statistically from a single data type. Because both phenotypic and genetic data are analyzed in a common Bayesian framework, our study provides a framework for investigating whether disagreements in species boundaries among data types reflect (i) actual discordance with the actual history of lineage splitting, or instead (ii) differences among data types in the amount of time required for differentiation to become apparent among the delimited taxa. We discuss what the answers to these questions imply about what characters are used to delimit species, as well as the diverse processes involved in the origin and maintenance of species boundaries. With this in mind, we then reflect more generally on how quantitative methods for species delimitation are used to assign taxonomic status.
Characterization of Dissociation and Gas Heating in Femtosecond Laser Plasma with Planar Rayleigh Scattering and Rayleigh Scattering Polarimetry

Planar Rayleigh scattering and Rayleigh scattering polarimetry are used to characterize the dissociation kinetics, fluid dynamics and energy deposition in the afterglow of a femtosecond laser plasma, relevant for the FLEET (Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging) diagnostic technique. Fast heating is observed in the first 100ns, generating acoustic waves and a low density region with a corresponding temperature rise of at least ∆T = 330 ± 10 K. The energy deposition and temperature rise spatial profiles are observed to scale linearly with the emission intensity. Comparing this emission to the three-body recombination rate of nitrogen atoms shows that recombination processes can adequately explain the time history of the fluorescence after 1μs.
Lymphoglandular Bodies in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Smears

Lymphoglandular bodies (hyaline bodies or lymphoid globules), when found in cytology smears from fine-needle aspirates, have long been accepted as being diagnostic of lymphoid tissue. To investigate the validity of this association as it relates to malignant tumors, we examined cytologic smears from 132 fine-needle aspirates of malignant neoplasms. Three experienced observers independently scored Diff-Quik-stained smears as to cellularity and number and size of lymphoglandular bodies. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results of the fine-needle aspiration biopsies revealed 6 of 104 nonlymphoid malignancies with easily identifiable lymphoglandular bodies (defined as > 2 lymphoglandular bodies per high-power field) and 3 with numerous lymphoglandular bodies (> 10 per high-power field). These tumors consisted of two cases of small-cell carcinoma, four non-small-cell carcinomas, one ganglioneuroblastoma, one melanoma, and one seminoma. The tumors had few, if any, lymphocytes. Of the 28 lymphomas, 5 had easily identifiable lymphoglandular bodies and 19 had numerous lymphoglandular bodies. Although lymphoglandular bodies in the background of cytologic smears taken from malignant tumors are useful in alerting the pathologist to the possibility of lymphoma, there are exceptions.
Errors of disclosure in computer mediated systems

People frequently use information and communication technologies such as cell phones and email to mediate the transfer of private information. Often, this information is intended to be shared only with the recipient or recipients, and, in turn, kept from everyone else. However, people sometimes make errors when disclosing private information. These errors can occur when the intended information is sent to an unintended person or persons, when unintended information is sent to the intended person, or a combination of both. Fifteen adults (aged 19–23) were interviewed using the critical incident method to elicit past instances of erroneous disclosure. The interviewer sought to understand the circumstances surrounding incidents of erroneous relays of private information. Participants reported an average of 3.67 (SD = 1.59) instances of erroneous disclosure, or misclosure per person. Most reported errors involved email and other familiar technologies, with various designed-based causes. These findings point t...
Mutation Specific Drug Response and Cardiac Risk in Long QT Type 3

Long QT type 3 (LQT3) is caused by mutations that cause an increase in the cardiac sodium current during late phases of the cardiac action potential. For a number of LQT3 mutants this is caused by a failure to inactivate fully, and a consequent increase in late sodium current. For several mutations, shifts in voltage dependence of activation and inactivation cause increased sodium channel contribution to more depolarized voltages, an effect referred as increase in window current. The goal of this study was to perform a study in a large number of LQT3 associated mutations and compare the biophysical effect of the mutation to cardiac risk in LQT3 patients and response to treatment. We measured the function of eight common mutations associated with LQT3 with different mechanism underlying channel dysfunction. We compared the functional effects of the channel with the clinical course of these patients and observed that for the two mutations tested with increased sustained current but without increase in current availability (window current), D1784K and D1790G, the patients had significant lower risk of cardiac events, suggesting an increase in current availability may be associated with increased risk for these patients. In addition, we measured mutation specific effects of ranolazine for these mutants. For all mutants tested, ranolazine preferentially blocked late sodium currents. Ranolazine shifts steady-state availability of the inactivation was dependent on the specific mutant tested. Our results suggest that ranolazine may have a mutation dependent effect. Mutations dysfunction may affect drug binding and drug actions in the channel and may alter treatment effectiveness in patients.
Short-Circuit Current Computation Method for Electric Elements with Converter

In view of the protective relay based on fundamental frequency,a novel short-circuit current computation method for electric elements with converter during transient fault process is proposed,where the basic functions,controlling peculiarity and complex transient process of the converter are simplified.The response characteristic of the element with converter in AC side fault is revealed by qualitative and quantitative analysis on the output variation rules,thus the approximately analytic expression of transient response is obtained.The simulation shows that the novel short-circuit current calculation method has a high accuracy,the converter is regarded as an equivalent controlled component with AC-DC power conversion function,and the transient response of the converter depends on the control strategy and control parameters.The control characteristic plays an important role in the fault response of the converter.
Treatment by Modification of Circulatory Dynamics

In many cases, an appropriate vasodilator alone will relieve symptoms and improve quality of life; in others, an inotropic agent must be added. Careful selection of both patient and specific agent is essential, as is monitoring for side effects. Clinical guidelines are described in the context of the known role of elevated arterial input impedance in the symptomatology of heart failure.
The dilemma of hypersplenism.

Three essential features characterize the syndrome of hypersplenism: splenomegaly, cytopenia(s) associated with hyperplasia of bone marrow, and correction of the cytopenia(s) by splenectomy.
Student perceptions on using guided reading questions to motivate student reading in the flipped classroom

ABSTRACTAlthough upper-level accounting majors tend to be more motivated than introductory-level students, or non-accounting majors, it is still challenging to motivate such students to complete and understand assigned readings. The purpose of this study is to assess student perceptions on the implementation of guided reading questions to motivate and enhance student reading to help flip the intermediate accounting classroom. Without essential preparation, students may be unable to adequately participate during class discussions or perform well across other course dimensions, especially in a flipped classroom setting. We assigned guided reading questions related to two required intermediate financial accounting textbook presentations (one course specifically for accounting majors and the other for non-accounting majors). Student perception results indicate that the guided reading questions positively impact student motivation, reading comprehension, effort level, and understanding of the material before a...
Phage display and structural studies reveal plasticity in substrate specificity of caspase-3a from zebrafish.

The regulation of caspase-3 enzyme activity is a vital process in cell fate decisions leading to cell differentiation and tissue development or to apoptosis. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has become an increasingly popular animal model to study several human diseases because of their transparent embryos, short reproductive cycles, and ease of drug administration. While apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved process in metazoans, little is known about caspases from zebrafish, particularly regarding substrate specificity and allosteric regulation compared to the human caspases. We cloned zebrafish caspase-3a (casp3a) and examined substrate specificity of the recombinant protein, Casp3a, compared to human caspase-3 (CASP3) by utilizing M13 bacteriophage substrate libraries that incorporated either random amino acids at P5-P1′ or aspartate fixed at P1. The results show a preference for the tetrapeptide sequence DNLD for both enzymes, but the P4 position of zebrafish Casp3a also accommodates valine equally well. We determined the structure of zebrafish Casp3a to 2.28A resolution by X-ray crystallography, and when combined with molecular dynamics simulations, the results suggest that a limited number of amino acid substitutions near the active site result in plasticity of the S4 sub-site by increasing flexibility of one active site loop and by affecting hydrogen-bonding with substrate. The data show that zebrafish Casp3a exhibits a broader substrate portfolio, suggesting overlap with the functions of caspase-6 in zebrafish development.
Buffer gas experiments in mercury (Hg/sup +/) ion clock

We report measured buffer gas collision shifts of the 40.507347996xx GHz mercury ion clock transition using inert helium, neon, and argon gases and getterable molecular hydrogen and nitrogen gases. The frequency shift due to methane was also examined. At low partial pressures methane gas did not impact the trapped ion number but was observed to strongly relax the population difference in the two hyperfine clock states thereby reducing the clock resonance signal. A similar population relaxation was also observed for other molecular buffer gases (N/sub 2/, H/sub 2/) but at much reduced rate.
Livelihoods and Land Uses Produced Together: Evidence from Rural Malawi:

Land use and livelihood studies rarely engage dialectical thinking to explain how change occurs in rural, peasant economies. In this paper, I employ the dialectical concepts of contradiction and su...