cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunization with single-cycle SIV significantly reduces viral loads after an intravenous challenge with SIV(mac)239

Strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) that are limited to a single cycle of infection were evaluated for the ability to elicit protective immunity against wild-type SIVmac239 infection of rhesus macaques by two different vaccine regimens. Six animals were inoculated at 8-week intervals with 6 identical doses consisting of a mixture of three different envelope variants of single-cycle SIV (scSIV). Six additional animals were primed with a mixture of cytoplasmic domain-truncated envelope variants of scSIV and boosted with two doses of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV G) trans-complemented scSIV. While both regimens elicited detectable virus-specific T cell responses, SIV-specific T cell frequencies were more than 10-fold higher after boosting with VSV G trans-complemented scSIV (VSV G scSIV). Broad T cell recognition of multiple viral antigens and Gag-specific CD4+ T cell responses were also observed after boosting with VSV G scSIV. With the exception of a single animal in the repeated immunization group, all of the animals became infected following an intravenous challenge with SIVmac239. However, significantly lower viral loads and higher memory CD4+ T cell counts were observed in both immunized groups relative to an unvaccinated control group. Indeed, both scSIV immunization regimens resulted in containment of SIVmac239 replication after challenge that was as good as, if not better than, what has been achieved by other non-persisting vaccine vectors that have been evaluated in this challenge model. Nevertheless, the extent of protection afforded by scSIV was not as good as typically conferred by persistent infection with live, attenuated SIV. These observations have potentially important implications to the design of an effective AIDS vaccine, since they suggest that ongoing stimulation of virus-specific immune responses may be essential to achieving the degree of protection afforded by live, attenuated SIV.
Experimental low-voltage point-projection microscopy and its possibilities

Abstract The design of a lensless, low-voltage point-projection electron microscope is described, operating at 90–400 V. Experimental images of thin carbon films are reported, and it is shown that high-resolution images may be obtained without high-temperature treatment of the tip, greatly simplifying construction and improving stability. Image interpretation, radiation damage, source brightness, tip aberrations and applications of the instrument are discussed, and the effective source size is estimated.
Genetic evidence of multiple matrilineal lineages of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus in North America

Using mitochondrial DNA control region (mtDNA CR) sequence data the present study evaluates the genetic status of the wild populations of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in North America. A total of 584 individuals representing 56 drainages across its distributional range in the United States were collected. There were 105 mtDNA CR haplotypes defined by 51 variable sites. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed the existence of six distinct matrilineal genetic lineages of channel catfish in the United States. Four of these lineages were restricted to southeast Gulf Coast, a region that never glaciated during the Pleistocene. While samples from the Mississippi river and its tributaries represent a single genetic lineage, samples from the southeast Atlantic coastal plain drainages formed a unique lineage. Each lineage should be regarded as an evolutionarily significant unit/management unit and therefore separate management and conservation strategies should be undertaken in order to conserve the genetic resources.
The relationship of ordinal position and sibling sex status to cognitive abilities

The influence of the interaction of ordinal position and sibling sex status on cognitive activity was examined. Results generally confirm the superiority of the first born over the second born on cognitive activity. Directional trends suggest that the presence of amale sibling enhances quantitative scores, the presence of a female enhances language scores, males having a greater effect on females than vice versa.
Increasing Kernel Density for Two Inbred Lines of Maize

Improving grain quality of maize (Zea mays L.), including endosperm hardness and density, is often a breeding objective. Dense seed is preferred by dry millers and for alkaline processing, and can command a price premium at market. This study attempted to increase kernel density in a backcrossing program for two inbreds of maize using two selection techniques, specific gravity of kernels and the percentage of sinking kernels in a salt solution (or sinkers). Two inbreds, B73G and A632, were crossed with synthetics exhibiting apparent high kernel density, and several generations of backcrossing and self-pollination followed. Examples of mean comparisons of backcross-derived inbreds with the recurrent parents, B73G and A632 are as follows: B73G-Specific gravity, 1.251 and 1.206; Sinkers, 62.3 and 14.9%; and A632-Specific gravity, 1.266 and 1.250; Sinkers 45.4 and 29.1%. Both the specific gravity and sinkers techniques were successful for increasing kernel density during backcrossing.
Infrared spectroscopy of CaGeO3 perovskite to 24 GPa and thermodynamic implications

Far-infrared absorbance spectra were collected from CaGeO3 with a metastable orthorhombic perovskite structure from 0 to 24.4 GPa. The absorbance data are compatible with a reflectance spectrum which was collected at ambient conditions from a polished, densely compacted polycrystal. The reflectance spectrum shows 18 IR modes from 155 to 786 cm−1. A detailed model for the density of states constructed from these new data results in accurate calculation of heat capacity and new data on entropy. Peak positions increase linearly with pressure. Mode Gruneisen parameters (ranging from 0.72–1.56) decrease almost linearly with increasing mode frequency which is consistent with deformations of the oxygen sublattice dominating the lattice vibrations. Neither discontinuous changes in the number of modes nor in these frequencies nor in band widths are observed at pressures up to 24.4 GPa. Thus, conversion to the tetragonal phase at ∼12 GPa is not indicated.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Cubic Silicon Carbide Surfaces

Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to study β-SiC(001) surfaces. The β-SiC(001) single crystals were epitaxially grown by a two-steep chemical vapor deposition process on Si(001) wafer substrates. The overall surface topography of β-SiC is generally much rougher than that of Si wafers. Atomically resolved images corresponding to 3 × 2 and c(2 × 2) geometries of the β-SiC(001) surface are presented. Our results agree with models constructed from Si dimers for these structures. The larger-scale images show that the surface is under compressive stress and exhibits high density of defects, e.g., antiphase boundaries (APB's), in some areas. Images with unusual superstructures are also shown.
Durability issues and service lifetime prediction of electrochromic windows for buildings applications

Abstract In general, the purposes of this paper are to elucidate the crucial importance of durability and service lifetime prediction (SLP) for electrochromic windows (ECWs) and to present an outline for developing a SLP methodology for ECWs. The specific objectives are (a) to illustrate the generic nature of SLP for several types of solar energy conversion or energy conservation devices, (b) to summarize the major durability issues associated with ECWs, (c) to justify using SLP in the triad of cost, performance, and durability rather than just durability, (d) to define and explain the seven major elements that constitute a generic SLP methodology, (e) to provide background for implementing the SLP methodology for ECWs, including the complexity of the potential degradation mechanisms, and (f) to provide an outline of studies using ECWs for improving the durability of ECW materials and predicting a service lifetime for ECWs using the SLP methodology outlined in objective (d). Our major conclusions are that substantial R&Dis necessary to understand the factors that limit ECW durability, and that it is possible to predict the service lifetime of ECWs.
Effect of acetate on glucose utilization by isolated rat thymocytes

Abstract The effects of acetate and ammonium salts on glucose metabolism, aminoisobutyric acid influx, and radioiodinated insulin binding in isolated thymocytes were studied. Acetate in the concentration range, 0.1–30 m m , was found to inhibit basal and insulin-stimulated CO 2 production whereas ammonium chloride at concentrations greater than 0.3 m m was slightly stimulatory. Ammonium salts inhibited glucose incorporation into glycogen and aminoisobutyric acid influx only at high concentration (30 m m ). Neither acetate nor ammonium salts had significant effects on glucose incorporation into glycogen or aminoisobutyric acid influx at lower concentrations. No effect on insulin binding was observed. The observation that very low concentrations of acetate can perturb these biological assay systems suggests that other biological functions may be affected by trace amounts of buffer salts carried over from protein isolation steps.
Concise synthesis of capuramycin.

A concise total synthesis of capuramycin (1), a promising preclinical TB drug lead, is achieved by high-yield formations of the cyanohydrin 5a and 4′′,5′′-glycal derivative 12. Capuramycin can be synthesized in eight steps from the uridine building block 5a with >30% overall yield. The synthetic intermediates reported here are useful for generation of analogs to improve pharmacokinetic properties of capuramycin.
Written language skills in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

Abstract Purpose. The goal of this work was to study written language skills in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS) in the absence of atypical clinical or electroencephalographic (EEG) features ( n = 32), as compared with controls ( n = 36). Methods. BCECTS patients (7–16 years), attending regular school, without cognitive or behavioral regression, or atypical EEG patterns, completed four tests assessing written language skills and one nonverbal cognitive test. School performance information was recorded. Seizure types, duration, and frequency; awake and sleep interictal EEG findings; and medication status were documented. Epilepsy and educational outcome was recorded for a period of 1–5 years after diagnosis. Results. As a group, BCECTS patients performed significantly worse than controls in spelling, reading aloud, and reading comprehension; presented dyslexic-type errors; and frequently had below-average school performance. Among 11 with poor written language performance, 4 had developmental dysfunctions before school and seizure onset and, as a group, demonstrated low performance on a nonverbal cognitive test. Even though 65.6% were on anticonvulsants due to frequent seizures and/or seizures while awake, none belonged to the atypical BCECTS spectrum with respect to clinical or EEG findings. Increased epilepsy duration and seizure frequency were less represented in patients with no or mild written language problems than in those with poor performance. Otherwise, clinical course and EEG findings in this group were no different than those for the 11 children with severe written language problems. Clinical follow-up indicated that learning problems appear persistent and several children require remedial classes and/or tutoring after the epilepsy has resolved. Conclusions. Children with severe but not atypical BCECTS performed, as a group, significantly worse than controls in written language skills, specifically in spelling, reading, aloud and reading comprehension; they also presented many difficulties also found in children with dyslexia. However, poor written language performance was not considered specific to BCECTS because it occurred in children with generally low cognitive capacity and/or preexisting developmental dysfunctions. Moreover, a dissociation between epilepsy outcome and learning problem outcome, in the subgroup with poor performance, casts doubt on the existence of a possible causal link between BCECTS and educational performance.
IDENTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF LAMB VERSUS BEEF AND PORK BY CONSUMERS AND EXPERIENCED SENSORY PANELISTS

Lamb, beef, and pork patties containing ≈ 21% fat were pan-fried to 71C and evaluated by consumers (n=71) and experienced laboratory sensory panelists (n=12) to determine to what extent panelists could correctly identify the species and to document the probable basis of their identification. When six samples (the first three samples representing the first servings of the three species and the next three representing the second servings) were served one at a time, 59%, 49%, and 32% of consumer panelists correctly identified both servings of lamb, beef, and pork, respectively, compared to 67%, 50%, and 33%, respectively, by experienced laboratory panelists. Sensory attribute scores and correlation data on correctly identified samples indicated that flavor intensity of lamb and pork patties did not have positive effects on their overall palatability, whereas flavor intensity of beef patties had positive effects. Lamb patties were rated most intense in flavor and lowest in overall palatability.
The Role of Environment in System Change.

An important element of New York State Project Redesign, a statewide improvement effort, has been to change the relationships between the State Education Department and local school systems participating in the effort. By changing these relationships from a solely regulatory, supervisory stance to a collaborative, problem solving mode has changed the environment of the local school systems and the State Education Department. In this way both systems are changing.
Technical forum

Visualization applications can enable interactions between people in powerful and unexpected ways, as illustrated by the following two personal experiences
A Psychometric Review of Norm-Referenced Tests Used to Assess Phonological Error Patterns

Purpose The authors provide a review of the psychometric properties of 6 norm-referenced tests designed to measure children's phonological error patterns. Three aspects of the tests' psychometric a...
Regularity of edge ideals of C4-free graphs via the topology of the lcm-lattice

We study the topology of the lcm-lattice of edge ideals and derive upper bounds on the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of the ideals. In this context it is natural to restrict to the family of graphs with no induced 4-cycle in their complement. Using the above method we obtain sharp upper bounds on the regularity when the complement is a chordal graph, or a cycle, or when the original graph is claw free with no induced 4-cycle in its complement. For the last family we show that the second power of the edge ideal has a linear resolution.
Linux for Academics, Part II: The Advantages of Free and Open-Source Software

The Linux operating system represents an intriguing set of tools for academics looking to take advantage of free and open-source software. This column continues a discussion of Linux (see the prece...
Combined effects of pressure and Ru substitution on BaFe2As2

The $ab$ plane resistivity of Ba(Fe${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Ru${}_{x}$)${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ ($x=0.00$, 0.09, 0.16, 0.21, and 0.28) was studied under nearly hydrostatic pressures, up to 7.4 GPa, in order to explore the $T\ensuremath{-}P$ phase diagram and to compare the combined effects of isoelectronic Ru substitution and pressure. The parent compound BaFe${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ exhibits a structural/magnetic phase transition near 134 K. At ambient pressure, progressively increasing Ru concentration suppresses this phase transition to lower temperatures at an approximate rate of $\ensuremath{\sim}$5 K/% Ru correlated with the emergence of superconductivity. By applying pressure to this system, a similar behavior is seen for each concentration: the structural/magnetic phase transition is further suppressed and superconductivity induced and ultimately, for larger $x$ Ru and $P$, suppressed. A detailed comparison of the $T\ensuremath{-}P$ phase diagrams for all Ru concentrations shows that 3 GPa of pressure is roughly equivalent to $10%$ Ru substitution. Furthermore, due to the sensitivity of Ba(Fe${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Ru${}_{x}$)${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$ to pressure conditions, the melting of the liquid media, $4:6$ light mineral oil : $n$-pentane and $1:1$ isopentane : $n$-pentane, used in this study could be readily seen in the resistivity measurements. This feature was used to determine the freezing curves for these media and to infer their room temperature, hydrostatic limits: 3.5 and 6.5 GPa, respectively.
Environmentalist Approaches to Portals and Course Management Systems

Abstract This chapter examines some of the forces, history, and language that have contributed to the current state of affairs in online learning and online library instruction. It argues that approaches to online learning should focus on making portals interactive domains where people and information can be brought together to commingle in productive ways.
Community Languages and Anti‐racist Education: the open battlefield

Summary The shift from a multicultural to an anti‐racist perspective in education left the issue of community languages aside. There seem to be four reasons for the persisting marginal position of community languages within anti‐racist education in Britain: (1) the gap between the theoretical concept of anti‐racist education and its implementation in practice; (2) the prevalent mainstream doctrine; (3) the pervasive international hegemony of English language; and (4) the political devaluation of ethnicity approaches. The 1988 United Kingdom Education Reform Act, along with the European integration and its accompanying Eurocen‐trism, appears to marginalise the community languages even further.
ZXDC, a novel zinc finger protein that binds CIITA and activates MHC gene transcription

The class II trans-activator (CIITA) is recognized as the master regulator of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene transcription and contributes to the transcription of MHC class I genes. To better understand the function of CIITA, we performed yeast two-hybrid with the C-terminal 807 amino acids of CIITA, and cloned a novel human cDNA named zinc finger, X-linked, duplicated family member C (ZXDC). The 858 amino acid ZXDC protein contains 10 zinc fingers and a transcriptional activation domain, and was found to interact with the region of CIITA containing leucine-rich repeats. Over-expression of ZXDC in human cell lines resulted in super-activation of MHC class I and class II promoters by CIITA. Conversely, silencing of ZXDC expression reduced the ability of CIITA to activate transcription of MHC class II genes. Given the specific interaction between the ZXDC and CIITA proteins, as well as the effect of ZXDC on MHC gene transcription, it appears that ZXDC is an important regulator of both MHC class I and class II transcription.
Searching History: The Non-Elite in Ancient Egypt

This article surveys the place of non-elites and popular culture in recent trends in social and cultural history, with particular reference to currents in Egyptology. Both archaeological and historiographical developments are reviewed and found to be largely complementary. The aim is to establish a framework within which to study non-elites in Egyptian history, and this article concludes with a brief discussion of the New Kingdom village of Deir el-Medina, one of the most fruitful Egyptian sites for the study of popular culture.
CT Reveals a High Incidence of Osseous Abnormalities in Hips with Labral Tears

Background Acetabular labral tears are being diagnosed with increasing frequency and there is a growing consensus that these tears rarely occur in the absence of osseous abnormalities.
Behavioral Ecology of Color Patterns in Atka Mackerel

Abstract The behavioral ecology of seasonal and ephemeral variations in color patterns of Atka mackerel Pleurogrammus monopterygius was investigated and is discussed relative to alternative mating tactics, reproductive condition, social status, and predation risk. Breeding males underwent a conspicuous seasonal color change during the mating and brooding period, resulting in one of two nuptial phenotypes. Type I males held and defended territories inside nesting colonies and had a uniform yellow coloration with a golden hue across the head and dorsum. Type II males were nonterritorial, hovered above the nesting colony, and attempted periodic forays into the nesting colony; their color was plain yellow with irregular dark blotches across the head and dorsum and a light patch on the nape. When displaced from their nests, type I males also showed dark blotches and a light patch on the nape, but these characteristics were less pronounced than those in type II males. The color of females and nonbreeding males ...
Age-Dependent MicroRNA Control of Synaptic Plasticity in 22q11 Deletion Syndrome and Schizophrenia

The 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is characterized by multiple physical and psychiatric abnormalities and is caused by the hemizygous deletion of a 1.5–3 Mb region of chromosome 22. It constitutes one of the strongest known genetic risks for schizophrenia; schizophrenia arises in as many as 30% of patients with 22q11DS during adolescence or early adulthood. A mouse model of 22q11DS displays an age-dependent increase in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2), which is responsible for loading Ca2+ into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is elevated in this mouse model. The resulting increase in ER Ca2+ load leads to enhanced neurotransmitter release and increased LTP. However, the mechanism by which the 22q11 microdeletion leads to SERCA2 overexpression and LTP increase has not been determined. Screening of multiple mutant mouse lines revealed that haploinsufficiency of Dgcr8, a microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis gene in the 22q11DS disease-critical region, causes age-dependent, synaptic SERCA2 overexpression and increased LTP. We found that miR-25 and miR-185, regulators of SERCA2, are depleted in mouse models of 22q11DS. Restoration of these miRNAs to presynaptic neurons rescues LTP in Dgcr8+/− mice. Finally, we show that SERCA2 is elevated in the brains of patients with schizophrenia, providing a link between mouse model findings and the human disease. We conclude that miRNA-dependent SERCA2 dysregulation is a pathogenic event in 22q11DS and schizophrenia.
Real chromatid deletions versus gaps.

Abstract The validity of previous scoring of radiation-induced chromatid deletions detected at metaphase has been brought into serious question by Revell in recent years. He finds in Vicia that only 1 20 to 1 100 of the apparent chromatid deletions are real, the remaining large fraction are achromatic lesions or “gaps”. Here, this problem was studied in Tradescantia microspores, γ-irradiated in late interphase (S or perhaps G2), by analysis of the chromatid types of aberrations at metaphase and at anaphase. A real chromatid deletion will release its fragment at anaphase, the gap will not. The scoring validity of metaphase-detected chromatid deletions was established by observation, at the same dose, of an equal frequency of free fragments at anaphase. Metaphase scoring of all other aberration types was similarly confirmed, and yield per rad agreed with previous metaphase scoring. The frequency of gaps was at the most but a third that of the confirmed real chromatid deletions, actually probably less. (Radiation was delivered at low intensity (50 rad/h), which, on Revell's hypothesis, should have maximized the ratio of gap to chromatid deletion production.) Reasons for the 60- to 300-fold disagreement ( 1 3 versus 20 1 to 100 1 ) in scoring of gaps in Vicia and in Tradescantia are considered. Differences in microscopic detection, staining methods, and stages irradiated are unlikelily as major contributors to the discrepancy; intrinsic species or possibly cell type differences are left as the most likely, though unexplained, reasons.
HEAT OF REACTION, DEGREE OF CURE, AND VISCOSITY OF HERCULES 3501-6 RESIN

The heat of reaction, degree of cure, and viscosity of Hercules 3501-6 resin were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter and a disc and plate type viscometer. Expression were developed ...
Proceedings of the University of Pennsylvania 5th annual conference on statistical issues in clinical trials: Emerging statistical issues in biomarker validation for clinical trials

This issue of Clinical Trials contains the proceedings of the fifth in a series of symposia held at the University of Pennsylvania on current statistical issues in clinical trials. This symposium, held in spring 2012, focused on emerging statistical issues in biomarker validation for clinical trials, a topic highly relevant to the ever-increasing concerns about clinical trial efficiency While the titles of the papers in the Table are self explanatory, the presentations and panel discussions offer a very broad spectrum of viewpoints and emphases from both long-time and more recent researchers. Simple questions which create difficult statistical issues such as how to calibrate new biomarkers against imperfect gold standards; regulatory perspective on when biomarkers are ‘good’ enough to be used in clinical trials; how to quantify treatment effect explained by biomarkers subject to measurement error are addressed (see Table). Other topics include fraud in Omics biomarker validation, and the approach to assessing clinical utility along with statistical validation. Expert panels provided thoughtful commentary on the presentations, and there were provocative and insightful questions and comments from the floor; these discussions are included along with the papers. Table 2012 Conference on Emerging Statistical Issues in Biomarker Validation for Clinical Trials The Penn conference series is aimed at facilitating advances in approaches to the statistical design, implementation and analysis of clinical trials. Earlier conferences in this series focused on proof-of-concept studies and ‘go–no go’ decision making [3], development of targeted therapies [4], comparative effectiveness studies [5] and emerging statistical issues in the conduct and monitoring of clinical trials [6]
Infinitely Large New Dimensions

We construct intersecting brane configurations in Anti-de-Sitter space localizing gravity to the intersection region, with any number n of extra dimensions. This allows us to construct two kinds of theories with infinitely large new dimensions, TeV scale quantum gravity and sub-millimeter deviations from Newton's Law. The effective 4D Planck scale M{sub Pl} is determined in terms of the fundamental Planck scale M{sub *} and the AdS radius of curvature L via the familiar relation M{sub Pl}{sup 2} {approx} M{sub *}{sup 2+n} L{sup n}; L acts as an effective radius of compactification for gravity on the intersection. Taking M{sub *} {approx} TeV and L {approx} sub-mm reproduces the phenomenology of theories with large extra dimensions. Alternately, taking M{sub *} {approx} L{sup -1} {approx} M{sub Pl}, and placing our 3-brane a distance {approx} 100M{sub Pl}{sup -1} away from the intersection gives us a theory with an exponential determination of the Weak/Planck hierarchy.
Re-readings of the Algerian War during the US `war on terror': Between recognition and denial

In the light of the Iraq insurgency and the revelations of torture by American soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison, an increasing volume of academic and media commentary has drawn parallels between France's experience during the Algerian War (1954—62), and the current situation facing the United States in Iraq and in its broader `war on terror'. It has been argued that the Algerian War — now viewed by most as a catastrophe which has left an indelible scar on the French national psyche — provides a useful template for understanding the tactical and ideological flaws of the Bush administration today. The aim of this article is twofold: firstly to analyse the main contours of the Algerian War/`war on terror' parallel as it has been debated in academic and media circles, and secondly to examine an aspect of this debate which has attracted less direct scholarly attention, namely the respective attitudes of the French and US governments towards these parallels.
Sex Differences in the Moral Values of College Students and Their Parents.

A values survey eliciting judgments of the morality of 50 behaviors was administered to 93 college students and both of their parents. Among students, who were generally more lenient in their judgments than their parents were, sex differences were virtually nonexistent. By contrast, mothers were more severe in their judgments than fathers across a wide range of behavior. Students' subscale and total severity scores were generally positively, though modestly, related to the corresponding scores of both their parents, with mother-child correlations being somewhat higher than father-child correlations, and with strengths of relationships varying as a function of domain of judgment and sex of student.
β-Sheet Pore-Forming Peptides Selected from a Rational Combinatorial Library: Mechanism of Pore Formation in Lipid Vesicles and Activity in Biological Membranes†

In a previous report we described the selection of potent, β-sheet pore-forming peptides from a combinatorial library designed to mimic membrane-spanning β-hairpins (Rausch, J. M., Marks, J. R., and Wimley, W. C. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102, 10511−10515). Here, we characterize their mechanism of action and compare the structure−function relationships in lipid vesicles to their activity in biological membranes. The pore-forming peptides bind to membrane interfaces and self-assemble into β-sheets that cause a transient burst of graded leakage across the bilayers. Despite the continued presence of the structured peptides in the bilayer, at most peptide concentrations leakage is incomplete and ceases quickly after peptide addition with a deactivation half-time of several minutes. Molecules up to 3,000 Da escape from the transient pores, but much larger molecules do not. Fluorescence spectroscopy and quenching showed that the peptides reside mainly on the bilayer surface and are partially exposed ...
The problems and solutions of predicting participation in energy efficiency programs

Abstract This paper discusses volunteer bias in residential energy efficiency studies. We briefly evaluate the bias in existing studies. We then show how volunteer bias can be corrected when not avoidable, using an on-line study of intentions to enroll in an in-home display trial as an example. We found that the best predictor of intentions to enroll was expected benefit from the in-home display. Constraints on participation, such as time in the home and trust in scientists, were also associated with enrollment intentions. Using Breiman’s classification tree algorithm we found that the best model of intentions to enroll contained only five variables: expected enjoyment of the program, presence in the home during morning hours, trust (in friends and in scientists), and perceived ability to handle unexpected problems. These results suggest that a short questionnaire, that takes at most 1 min to complete, would allow better control of volunteer bias than a more extensive questionnaire. This paper should allow researchers who employ field studies involving human behavior to be better equipped to address volunteer bias.
War Journalism and the “KIA Journalist”: The Cases of David Bloom and Michael Kelly

This paper examines mediated discourse around the deaths of two prominent journalists who died in the Iraq war in 2003: NBC reporter David Bloom and Washington Post columnist Michael Kelly. Their deaths are interpreted by journalists though narratives related to bravery, volunteerism, sacrifice, and witnessing. A discursive construct, labeled the “KIA journalist,” develops that situates the death of the war reporter within broader tropes connected to the normative journalistic role. Ultimately, Kelly and Bloom are placed in a framework that strives to increase journalism's cultural authority by positioning journalists as representations of the collective good.
Interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide induce mouse guanylate-binding protein 3 (mGBP3) expression in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7

Mouse guanylate-binding protein 3 (mGBP3) is a 71-kDa GTPase which belongs to GTP-binding protein family. The present study showed that the expression of mGBP3 transcript was readily induced in a dose dependent fashion in the macrophage cell line RAW264.7 treated with either interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expression of mGBP3 protein was also apparent by 4 and 6 h after the treatment of cells with IFN-γ (100 U/ml) or LPS (1 μg/ml), and remained at plateau for at least 24 h. Cycloheximide (10 μg/ml) had no effect on the IFN-γ- or LPS-induced mGBP3 expression, suggesting that the mGBP3 induction did not require further protein synthesis. Interestingly, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine (50 nM) abolished the induction of mGBP3 expression by LPS, but not by IFN-γ. These findings suggest that mGBP3 may be involved in the macrophage activation process and both IFN-γ and LPS induce the mGBP3 expression through distinct signal transduction pathways.
Pulp stones throughout the dentition of monozygotic twinsA case report

Pulpal calcifications are relatively common. However, their occurrence in the entire dentition is relatively infrequent. The presence of such calcification arouses suspicion of systemic or hereditary origin. This case report describes twin sisters with pulpal calcifications in their entire dentitions. No systemic cause was detected. The pattern of calcification was partially consistent with the hereditary condition of dentinal dysplasia.
The 677 C-T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation does not predict increased maternal homocysteine during pregnancy.

Abstract Objective To test the hypothesis that, regardless of the presence of the 677 C-T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation, maternal homocysteine concentrations will not be significantly different in women who are taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid, and to test this relationship in preeclampsia because homocysteine concentrations are higher in preeclamptic pregnancies. Methods Fifty-seven pregnant white women (control and preeclamptic) with and without the 677 C-T MTHFR mutation were studied. Total plasma homocysteine and plasma folic acid were analyzed. Results Homocysteine concentrations were not different by MTHFR genotype (wild type 677 CC 8.7 ± 5.6 μM versus mutant 677 TT 9.0 ± 5.7 μM, P = .84) in preeclamptic or normal pregnancies. However, mean homocysteine concentrations were significantly increased in preeclamptic pregnancies compared with those in normal pregnancies (10.6 ± 7.3 μM versus 7.2 ± 3.0 μM, P Conclusion The 677 C-T MTHFR polymorphism does not significantly affect maternal homocysteine concentrations in most women taking prenatal vitamins including women with preeclampsia. The increase in plasma folic acid likely affects maternal homocysteine more than the MTHFR genotype. If homocysteine is considered a thrombophilia risk factor, the concentration of the amino acid and not a particular genotype should be determined.
Negative developed tension in rapidly shortening whole frog muscles

High speed isovelocity shortening using a servo-controlled lever was performed on isolated whole frog sartorius muscles at long lengths to ensure substantial passive tension. The tension records of unstimulated control experiments were subtracted from the tension records of fully-tetanized experiments on the same muscles to yield the developed tension exerted by the contractile proteins alone. There are several main results: (1) the positive developed tension had the same relation with shortening speed observed by other researchers in single fibres with no passive tension present; (2) negative developed tension was always measured at velocities of shortening above V max′ where V max (typically 1.5 muscle-lengths s-1 at 2° C) is defined as the velocity of shortening observed to yield zero developed tension; (3) negative developed tension was roughly asymptotic to −0.05 T o′ where T o is the developed isometric tetanic tension for the muscle length at which the developed tension was measured during steady shortening; (4) negative developed tension diminished in magnitude at velocities of shortening above approximately 2.5 V max; (5) a 10° C increase in temperature from 2° C to 12° C had no significant effect on the shape of the normalized force-velocity curve (%T o versus %V max), but did increase V max by a factor of 2.6 in agreement with the results of previous studies measuring V max in the absence of passive tension; (6) addition of curare in the saline bath did not affect the results.
Abdominal lipocutaneous reduction

The history of surgical correction of the pendulous abdomen is briefly reviewed. Based on our experience in 30 consecutive cases, the method of lipocutaneous reduction is outlined, incorporating modifications of previously described techniques.
Diarrhea- and Rotavirus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age: United States, 1997 and 2000

OBJECTIVE. A new rotavirus vaccine may be licensed in the United States in early 2006. Estimates of the burden of severe rotavirus disease, particularly hospitalizations, will help evaluate the potential benefits of a national rotavirus immunization program. DESIGN. The Kids9 Inpatient Database, a robust sample of 10% of the uncomplicated births and 80% of other pediatric discharges was used to estimate the number and rate of diarrhea- and rotavirus-associated hospitalizations among US children RESULTS. In 1997 and 2000, diarrhea was coded in 13% of all childhood hospitalizations, for an estimated cumulative incidence of 1 diarrhea hospitalization per 23 to 27 children by age 5. Most diarrhea-associated hospitalizations (62%) were coded as unspecified etiology, and 35% as viral. Rotavirus was the most common pathogen recorded for 18% and 19% of diarrhea-associated hospitalizations in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Diarrhea-associated hospitalizations coded as unspecified or viral exhibited a marked winter peak similar to that of hospitalizations coded as rotavirus, suggesting that the rotavirus-specific code captures a fraction of all rotavirus hospitalizations. Using indirect methods, we estimated that rotavirus was associated with 51142–60155 and 46839–56820 hospitalizations in 1997 and 2000, respectively. By these estimates, rotavirus is associated with 4% to 5% of all childhood hospitalizations, and 1 in 67 to 1 in 85 children will be hospitalized with rotavirus by 5 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. Diarrhea is an important cause of hospitalization in US children, and rotavirus is the most important etiology. Disease burden estimates have remained stable during the past decade. An effective rotavirus vaccine will likely reduce substantially the burden of severe rotavirus disease, estimated to account for 4% to 5% of all hospitalizations and ∼30% of hospitalizations for watery diarrhea among children
Anti-Consultative Trends in Nonprofit Governance

The cultural and political demand for nonprofit financial accountability has grown rapidly in recent decades. At the same time, donations and gifts continue, apparently, to decline as a proportion of overall revenue received. To remain viable in this environment, many nonprofit groups are changing their operating models and organizational structures, the better to attract contracts, grants, and fee-for-service revenue. An underappreciated consequence of the convergence of these accountability and viability challenges is an anti-consultative or anti-collaborative imperative. With increasing frequency, scholars, attorneys, and consultants are advising nonprofit groups that seek to comply with nonprofit laws and to enhance their financial performance, to turn away from the popular cultural traditions and from the legal norms that have, by and large, encouraged collaboration and consultation in the normal course of internal decision making and governance. This advice often entails the adoption of strategies for streamlining nonprofit governance along for-profit business principles, in order to augment corporate efficiency, and management development, in the name, ultimately, of service to the nonprofit mission. Until now, law has largely accommodated and encouraged transplanted business models with new statutory proscriptions, administrative guidelines, and with liberal common law interpretations of the older statutes which demote consultative values. It may be time for courts and legislatures to start to impose limits on the wholesale adoption of for-profit management and governance models in nonprofit organization.
A general realization theory for higher-order linear differential equations

In this note we show that the geometric quotient, under a natural group action, of the generalized state space systems recently considered by Schumacher, Kuijper and Geerts is algebraically isomorphic to the space of a homogeneous autoregressive system. This result essentially follows from work of Stromme published earlier in the algebraic geometry literature. In particular, these generalized state space systems represent a realization of the space of homogeneous autoregressive systems.
A knowledge-based consulting system for process modeling in systems analysis

Abstract When developing information systems, data modeling and process modeling are two the major tasks involved. These two tasks are quite knowledge- and experience-intensive, thus requiring the expertise of skilled professionals. In data modeling, there have been some efforts in building knowledge-based systems in the literature. Yet, little attention has been paid to process modeling in the academic literature as well as in industry.In this paper, a heuristic model is developed for process modeling as conceptual specifications. This model is composed of various tasks in process modeling. Each conceptualization of a task provides a building block for implementing a system for process modeling. The model consists of three major tasks: goal analysis, process analysis, and goal and process interaction analysis. This heuristic model is characterized in terms of generic tasks and their structures. These three major tasks are further decomposed into smaller generic tasks. Protocol analysis of human experts was extensively used for identifying and conceptualizing the generic tasks in process modeling. Once the model was conceptualized, a computer system, process consulting system (PCS), was implemented using Lisp.
Attention, Learning, and the Value of Information

Despite many studies on selective attention, fundamental questions remain about its nature and neural mechanisms. Here I draw from the animal and machine learning fields that describe attention as a mechanism for active learning and uncertainty reduction and explore the implications of this view for understanding visual attention and eye movement control. I propose that a closer integration of these different views has the potential greatly to expand our understanding of oculomotor control and our ability to use this system as a window into high level but poorly understood cognitive functions, including the capacity for curiosity and exploration and for inferring internal models of the external world.
The cost of sustaining playground related extremity fractures in Singapore

Abstract Purpose To study the cost of sustaining a fracture of the extremity caused by playground equipment. These costs include financial, psychological, clinical and others like loss of school days. Method This is a prospective study of 226 children seen at the Paediatric Orthopaedic Department for a 1-year period starting June 2005. Once confirmed to have a playground related fracture by the Orthopaedic specialist, three sets of data are collected. First is the clinical data. Second is the playground related data. This is done on site independently by another investigator. Third is the radiological data, which is assessed independently by an Orthopaedic surgeon to ensure consistency. Results Out of the 226 children seen, two-thirds were boys. The average age was 7.5 years. 35.8% were forearm fractures and 28.8% were supracondylar fractures with the rest being mostly fractures in the upper limb. 64.2% were treated with immobilisation only whilst 24.2% required closed manipulation and reduction. 1.2% required admission for treatment of their fractures. The average period of cast immobilisation was 34 days. The average number of consults, including that at the emergency department, was 4 with an average length of follow up of 67.2 days. Based on the above, in our institution, the average cost for outpatient treatment would be about S$680.00 (US$485.71) (US$1.00 = S$1.40; 1/1/2010) per injury. The inpatient cost for non-surgical treatment cost would be S$1000.00 and for surgical stabilisation the average cost would be S$3300.00 (US$2357.14). Conclusion Playgrounds are meant for children to play safely. Yet, there appears to be a significant number of injuries sustained. Whilst these fractures are relatively minor, requiring outpatient treatment, there are costs. Besides the financial costs, there are hidden psychological costs of loss of school days and inability to participate in sports. Finally, as with any injury, there can be long term complications which present further clinical costs. Significance Most studies on playground injuries tend to concentrate on the equipment and very superficially cover the clinical aspects, less so the costs. This paper looks at the clinical aspects in greater depth and emphasises that there are significant costs, beyond financial, when a child sustains a playground injury. The next thing to do is to examine what playgrounds factors significantly contribute to these injuries and remedy them when planning the construction of playgrounds.
Chlamydia pneumoniae Enhances Cytokine-Stimulated Human Monocyte Matrix Metalloproteinases through a Prostaglandin E2-Dependent Mechanism

Exposure of human monocytes to Chlamydia pneumoniae resulted in a significant enhancement of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1 and 9 production following stimulation with tumor necrosis factor alpha and granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor. The effect of C. pneumoniae on monocyte MMPs was mediated through the induction of prostaglandin E(2). These findings may have implications for atherosclerotic plaque rupture.
Tight Ω(n lg n) lower bound for finding a longest increasing subsequence

The longest increasing subsequence problem is as follows: Given a sequence of n real numbers, find a longest increasing subsequence of . There is a well-known O(n lg n)-time comparison tree algorithm for solving this problem. Also, a tight Ω(n lg n) lower bound in the comparison tree model is known. We prove a tight Ω(n lg n) lower bound in the more powerful algebraic decision tree model. The above lower bounds also apply to the apparently simpler problem of finding the length of a longest increasing subsequence.