cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Punctuated evolution of viscid silk in spider orb webs supported by mechanical behavior of wet cribellate silk

The origin of viscid capture silk in orb webs, from cribellate silk-spinning ancestors, is a key innovation correlated with significant diversification of web-building spiders. Ancestral cribellate silk consists of dry nanofibrils surrounding a stiff, axial fiber that adheres to prey through van der Waals interactions, capillary forces, and physical entanglement. In contrast, viscid silk uses chemically adhesive aqueous glue coated onto a highly compliant and extensible flagelliform core silk. The extensibility of the flagelliform fiber accounts for half of the total work of adhesion for viscid silk and is enabled by water in the aqueous coating. Recent cDNA libraries revealed the expression of flagelliform silk proteins in cribellate orb-weaving spiders. We hypothesized that the presence of flagelliform proteins in cribellate silk could have allowed for a gradual shift in mechanical performance of cribellate axial silk, whose effect was masked by the dry nature of its adhesive. We measured supercontraction and mechanical performance of cribellate axial silk, in wet and dry states, for two species of cribellate orb web-weaving spiders to see if water enabled flagelliform silk-like performance. We found that compliance and extensibility of wet cribellate silk increased compared to dry state as expected. However, when compared to other silk types, the response to water was more similar to other web silks, like major and minor ampullate silk, than to viscid silk. These findings support the punctuated evolution of viscid silk mechanical performance.
Robust probabilistic quantum information processing with atoms, photons, and atomic ensembles

Abstract In this article, we review several new approaches to scalable and robust quantum communication, state engineering, and quantum computation. We consider the use of atomic ensembles, linear optical elements, and trapped ions for this purpose, all having significant experimental simplifications compared to conventional systems. These new approaches are based on probabilistic entanglement of quantum bits, where the dominant source of error is the (typically small) probability of entanglement success per attempt. By exploiting the properties of this particular noise process, we can design scalable quantum network schemes that are inherently insensitive to the noise, resulting in error-correction thresholds that are much more forgiving than any conventional threshold requirement. We review several such types of schemes in different contexts, and show their close relations with the current experimental implementations of scalable quantum information processing. Experimental progress along these approaches will be briefly remarked, especially in a system of trapped atomic ions.
Expanding what it means to play like a girl: gender, performance, and redefinition

The assertion that one plays like a girl has historically been an accusation of weakness and ineptitude. Traditionally thought of as a slur that disempowers girls, this phrase also disciplines boys...
Acoustic separation in plastic microfluidics for rapid detection of bacteria in blood using engineered bacteriophage

A more effective treatment of bacteremia requires a diagnostic platform that is both sensitive, accurate and rapid. Currently, clinical laboratory techniques require growth of bacteria prior to diagnosis, take days to complete, and leave empiric therapy and broad spectrum antibiotics as the only option at the onset of treatment. In order to bypass this growth requirement, we engineered a system that purifies bacteria from blood to improve performance in a bacteriophage-based luminescence assay. To perform the purification, we used acoustophoresis in plastic microfluidic chips, enabling future development into a low cost point-of-care system. Acoustophoresis achieves differential separation on the basis of size differences between bacteria and blood cells. We show isolation of three known pathogen species, including members of both Gram-negative and positive-bacteria from blood, and show isolation at clinically relevant concentrations. Using the device as a preparation step prior to the bacteriophage-based luminescence assay, we demonstrate a 33-fold improvement in limit of detection, compared with the unpurified sample, achieving a limit of detection of 6 bacteria.
Paraprofessional support and perceptions of a function-based classroom intervention

Paraprofessionals carry out behavior interventions for students with challenging behavior in inclusive classroom settings. Examination of paraprofessional involvement in behavior interventions info...
From Ritual Practice to Cultural Text

This article takes up the distinction between the textual and social practices (that is, actions taken in the social world). In the same way that different literary genres are themselves subject to different interpretative operations, ritual practice and the reading of texts are not strictly analogous. Here Clifford Geertz's famous rendering of the so-called "text analogy" in the social sciences can be misleading. If we believe that it is important to recover historical meanings expressed in ritual form, then we must be careful to differentiate between how social practices work from how texts work. This article considers ritual practices, including those of sociability, in British radical politics in the age of the French revolution, as well as considering rationalist hostility to ritual performance and the privileging of the printed text over ritual and spectacle.
What makes a brain smart? reservoir computing as an approach for general intelligence

Recurrent connectivity, balanced between excitation and inhibition, is a general principle of cortical connectivity. We propose that balanced recurrence can be achieved by tuning networks near their critical branching (CB) points when spike propagation is formalized as a branching process. We consider critical branching networks as foundations for artificial general intelligence when they are analyzed as reservoir computing models. Our reservoir models are based on principles of metastability and criticality that were developed in statistical mechanics in order to account for long-range correlations in activities exhibited by many types of complex systems. We discuss reservoir models and their computational properties, and we demonstrate their versatility by reviewing a number of applications.
Availability and Usefulness of Assessment Information for Emotionally Disabled Students

Teachers of emotionally disabled students in three states were surveyed to determine the availability and usefulness of information at the time of placement and reintegration of students. Results i...
The Legal Doctrine of Informed Consent

Clinicians often respond to ethical issues by first inquiring as to what the relevant law dictates. The instinct is a prudent one. It is not very efficient to discuss ethical options that the law prohibits, or attempt to fashion a response when the law has already provided one and insists upon it.
The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility and Wrongdoer Rank on Whistleblowing

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and wrongdoer rank on the likelihood of reporting fraud internally versus externally. Using a 2 × 2 between-subject...
Accelerating High-Dimensional Integration Using Lattice Rules on GPUs

Lattice rules for multiple integration yield a powerful method to approximate high-dimensional integrals for various function classes. Using generator vectors obtained from the fast component-by-component (CBC) construction of lattice rules, we incorporated rank-1 lattices for numerical integration on GPU accelerators. We show accuracy and efficiency results for a number of multivariate integrals, and compare with results obtained by Monte Carlo integration for the same functions also on GPU. The lattice rules achieve high accuracy and excellent speedups.
Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with the Estrogen Receptor Pathway in Cerebral Aneurysms.

Background The pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysm formation remains to be elucidated. Estrogen is thought to be protective against the development of aneurysms. The aim of this study is to identify differentially expressed genes in the estrogen receptor pathway that may be linked to the development of cerebral aneurysms. Methods Data from 6 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases with gene expression profiles of cerebral aneurysm tissue were analyzed ( GSE6551 , GSE15629 , GSE26969 , GSE46337 , GSE54083 , and GSE75436 ). Ninety-four genes associated with the estrogen receptor pathway were identified from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was used to evaluate the association of the estrogen receptor pathway genes with aneurysm formation. Results Four genes related to the estrogen receptor pathway were significantly associated with intracranial aneurysms, 2 of which were downregulated (PIK3R1: fold change [FC] = 0.41, false discovery rate [FDR] = 6.1 × 10–5, ADCY9: FC = 0.55, FDR = 2.3 × 10–4) and 2 of which were upregulated (HBEGF: FC = 1.46, FDR = 4.9 × 10–4; ADCY7: FC = 2.11, FDR = 6.0 × 10–3). Furthermore, subgroup analysis of 2 GEO databases with information provided about sex demonstrated PIK3R1 to be significant independently in both men (FC = 0.46, FDR = 6.3 × 10–5) and women (FC = 0.46, FDR = 2.3 × 10–4), whereas JUN, ADCY5, and MMP9 were significant in women only. Conclusions The analysis of 6 GEO databases revealed 4 differentially expressed genes (PIK3R1, HBEGF, ADCY7, and ADCY9) in cerebral aneurysm tissue that are associated with the estrogen receptor pathway. Further analysis of estrogen-associated differentially expressed genes may provide information about the protective effects of estrogen on cerebral aneurysm development.
Sex Differences in Cognitive Flexibility and Resting Brain Networks in Middle-Aged Marmosets

Sex differences in human cognitive performance are well characterized. However, the neural correlates of these differences remain elusive. This issue may be clarified using nonhuman primates, for which sociocultural influences are minimized. We used the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to investigate sex differences in two aspects of executive function: reversal learning and intradimensional/extradimensional (ID/ED) set shifting. Stress reactivity and motor function were also assessed. In agreement with human literature, females needed more trials than males to acquire the reversals. No sex differences in ED set shifting or motivational measures were observed. The findings suggest enhanced habit formation in females, perhaps due to striatal estrogenic effects. Both sexes showed increased urinary cortisol during social separation stressor, but females showed an earlier increase in cortisol and a greater increase in agitated locomotion, possibly indicating enhanced stress reactivity. Independent of sex, basal cortisol predicted cognitive performance. No sex differences were found in motor performance. Associations between brain networks and reversal learning performance were investigated using resting state fMRI. Resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses revealed sex differences in cognitive networks, with differences in overall neural network metrics and specific regions, including the prefrontal cortex, caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens. Correlations between cognitive flexibility and neural connectivity indicate that sex differences in cognitive flexibility are related to sex-dependent patterns of resting brain networks. Overall, our findings reveal sex differences in reversal learning, brain networks, and their relationship in the marmoset, positioning this species as an excellent model to investigate the biological basis of cognitive sex differences.
A genetic toolbox for metabolic engineering of Issatchenkia orientalis.

The nonconventional yeast Issatchenkia orientalis can grow under highly acidic conditions and has been explored for production of various organic acids. However, its broader application is hampered by the lack of efficient genetic tools to enable sophisticated metabolic manipulations. We recently constructed an episomal plasmid based on the autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScARS) in I. orientalis and developed a CRISPR/Cas9 system for multiplexed gene deletions. Here we report three additional genetic tools including: (1) identification of a 0.8 kb centromere-like (CEN-L) sequence from the I. orientalis genome by using bioinformatics and functional screening; (2) discovery and characterization of a set of constitutive promoters and terminators under different culture conditions by using RNA-Seq analysis and a fluorescent reporter; and (3) development of a rapid and efficient in vivo DNA assembly method in I. orientalis, which exhibited ~100% fidelity when assembling a 7 kb-plasmid from seven DNA fragments ranging from 0.7 kb to 1.7 kb. As proof of concept, we used these genetic tools to rapidly construct a functional xylose utilization pathway in I. orientalis.
Measuring Speech Production Development in Children with Cerebral Palsy between 6 and 8 Years of Age: Relationships among Measures.

Purpose Accurate measurement of speech intelligibility is essential for children with speech production deficits, but wide variability exists in the measures and protocols used. The current study sought to examine relationships among measures of speech intelligibility and the capacity of different measures to capture change over time. Method Forty-five children with cerebral palsy (CP) with and without speech motor impairment were observed at ages 6, 7, and 8 years. The speech performance of each child was rated using four measures at each time point: standardized articulation test scores, multiword intelligibility scores obtained from naive listeners, parent ratings of intelligibility, and percent intelligible utterances obtained from language transcripts. We analyzed the correlations of measures within each age and within three different severity groups, and we analyzed how these measures changed year over year in each severity group. Results For children with CP who have mild and moderate speech deficits, different measures of speech production were weakly associated, and for children with CP with severe speech impairment, these measures showed stronger associations. The four measures also differed in their ability to capture change over time. Finally, results from standardized assessments of articulation were not found to inform overall speech intelligibility for children with mild and moderate speech deficits. Conclusions Results suggest that speech production is not fully described by any single clinical measure. In order to adequately describe functional speaking abilities and to capture change over time, multiple levels of measurement are required.
Preliminary report on the development of a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification diagnostic assay for deer tick virus

Abstract Deer tick virus (DTV) is an emerging pathogen in North America. This virus can cause nervous system complications such as encephalitis in humans. Further, no data has been surmounted around long-term effects of infection from DTV patients across variable age groups. Diagnostic tools of DTV used by government laboratories are based on RT-PCR using patient serum or ticks. This paper explores the feasibility of a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to create a point-of-care diagnostic methodology for use in field and in primary care. LAMP consists of six primers that bind to target DNA and amplifies variable length nucleotide strands that can be visualized through side reactions or via electrophoresis. First, a viable LAMP primer set, and a primer set that dimerizes and amplifies DNA regardless of compatibility were created in silico and validated in vitro. Then, a specific LAMP assay was developed. Our findings showed this method can be performed within 30 minutes and can measure with limits of detection comparable to PCR.
Psychosocial Factors Associated with E-Cigarette Use among Young Adults in a 4-Year University in Appalachia.

Young adults (ages 18-25) have the highest rate of e-cigarette use, or vaping, among any other age group. College students make up a large portion of young adults and are on the forefront of cultur...
Brief Report: Improving Fellow Performance of the Pharmacology Section of the American Society of Clinical Oncology In-Training Exam.

Though the electronic medical record has streamlined the process for ordering chemotherapy and reduced medical error, it has come at the cost of potentially hindering medical oncology fellows’ acquisition of basic principles of chemotherapy administration. Recognizing the need for improving fellow knowledge and comfort level in chemotherapy prescription, we created an anticancer therapeutics curriculum for fellows at the University of North Carolina (UNC). The curriculum, which was comprised of a self-assessment, review session, and chemotherapy writing workshop, was offered voluntarily to all UNC fellows planning to take the medical oncology boards. We distributed a pre-intervention and post-intervention survey. In total, 11 of 18 fellows participated. After our interventions, there were statistically significant improvements in comfortability with calculating a dose of chemotherapy (p = 0.002), writing orders (p = 0.004), and taking the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) In-Training Exam (ITE) (p = 0.002). Furthermore, we saw a 4% overall improvement in pharmacology subset scores on the ITE compared to the prior year. Overall, our study suggested that the addition of a chemotherapy competency curriculum led to improved outcomes on the ASCO ITE, improved comfortability in chemotherapy administration, and hopefully improved patient care.
Shutdown Dose Rate Analysis Using the Multi-Step CADIS Method

The Multi-Step Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (MS-CADIS) hybrid Monte Carlo (MC)/deterministic radiation transport method was proposed to speed up the shutdown dose rate (SDDR) neutron MC calculation using an importance function that represents the neutron importance to the final SDDR. This work applied the MS-CADIS method to the ITER SDDR benchmark problem. The MS-CADIS method was also used to calculate the SDDR uncertainty resulting from uncertainties in the MC neutron calculation and to determine the degree of undersampling in SDDR calculations because of the limited ability of the MC method to tally detailed spatial and energy distributions. The analysis that used the ITER benchmark problem compared the efficiency of the MS-CADIS method to the traditional approach of using global MC variance reduction techniques for speeding up SDDR neutron MC calculation. Compared to the standard Forward-Weighted-CADIS (FW-CADIS) method, the MS-CADIS method increased the efficiency of the SDDR neutron MC calculation by 69%. The MS-CADIS method also increased the fraction of nonzero scoring mesh tally elements in the space-energy regions of high importance to the final SDDR.
Spatial Diffusion of Neutrons

This chapter examines the spatial migration of neutrons to obtain an explicit expression for the nonleakage probability and to understand the relationships between reactor size, shape, and criticality. Study of spatial migration of neutrons also helps in determining the spatial flux distributions within power reactors. In treating the spatial distributions of neutrons, a monoenergetic or one energy group model is first considered, meaning that the neutrons' flux and cross sections have already been averaged over energy. When dealing with reactor lattices, it is assumed that the flux and cross sections have been spatially averaged over the lattice cell. The diffusion equation and its associated boundary conditions are also derived by first setting forth the neutron balance condition for an incremental volume, and then employing Fick's law to arrive at the diffusion equation. The diffusion theory is applied to problems in nonmultiplying media. The chapter examines the behavior in spherical systems that contain fissionable material but which are subcritical. The chapter concludes with the approach to criticality of a spherical system, chosen for the mathematical simplicity of its one-dimensional geometry.
Antimicrobial Properties of the Chelating Agent EDTA on Streptococcal Bovine Mastitis Isolates

To determine the efficacy of the chelating agent EDTA on microbial growth, separate cultures of two streptococcal bovine mastitis isolates, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus uberis, were exposed to known concentrations of EDTA. Bacterial cultures of 10 8 CFU/ml were exposed to concentrations of EDTA ranging from 30 to 100 mM in an in-vitro-milk environment. Multiple replications of cultures exposed to EDTA were plated during a two-hour time course. A concentration of 100 mM EDTA resulted in a 90% reduction of S. agalactiae and a 99% reduction of S. uberis. Under these experimental conditions, EDTA treatments in cultures of both isolates exhibited from 1 to 2 log reductions suggesting that EDTA is a potentially effective antimicrobial against streptococcal isolates implicated in causing bovine mastitis.
Controlled dissemination of AAV vectors in the primate brain

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are currently the preeminent gene therapy vehicles for neurological application. However, issues regarding the trafficking of AAV vectors within the primate brain, and consequently control over the targeting of transgene expression, remain a matter of investigation. Studies in nonhuman primates have shown that distribution of AAV vectors is largely mediated by the flow of cerebrospinal fluid within perivascular space, trafficking of vector along axonal projections, and AAV receptor binding. Together these processes can result in transduction of cells in areas distant from the parenchymal site of infusion. Additionally, we have addressed the unique surgical issues concerning delivery of AAV vectors by convection-enhanced delivery and are working toward tailored delivery by means of real-time MRI.
Suppression of plasma formation in waveguide antennas for lower-hybrid heating

A magnetic field has been applied to the 800 MHz four-waveguide lower-hybrid heating grill on the Versator II tokamak to suppress plasma formation and RF breakdown in the evacuated waveguides during tokamak operation. Without an auxiliary magnetic field, the incident power density is limited typically to 0.13 kW/cm/sup 2/. When the imposed magnetic field in the antenna is above the electron-cyclotron resonance value, the grill operates without RF breakdown or plasma formation at an incident power level of 0.42 kW/cm/sup 2/, limited only by the available RF power. A power density of 0.94 kW/cm/sup 2/ has been achieved when all the RF power was injected into one waveguide, again with no evidence of plasma formation.
A preliminary systems assessment of the Starlite Demo candidates

The Starlite project has evaluated the following five tokamaks as candidates for the US Demo Power Plant: 1) steady state, first stability regime; 2) pulsed, first stability regime; 3) steady state, second stability regime; 4) steady state, reversed shear; and 5) steady state, low aspect ratio. Systems analysis of these candidates has played an important role in the selection of a reversed-shear tokamak for further conceptual design as a US Demo Power Plant. The cost-based systems analysis that led to the selection of a reversed-shear tokamak is described herein.
Amino acid sequence around the epoxide reactive residues in pepsin

Abstract The amino acid sequences around two sites reactive with the specific pepsin inactivator, 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane, were determined to be: Sequence I, Phe-Glu-Gly-Met-Asp-Val-Pro-Thr-Ser-Ser-Gly-Glu-Leu; Sequence II, Ile-Val-Asp-Thr-Gly-Ser-Ser-Asn. Epoxide-modified pepsin was digested separately by proteases and the epoxide-modified peptides were purified by Sephadex column chromatography and high voltage electrophoresis. When the sequences of the peptides were determined, they fell into one of the two groups shown above—Sequence I or Sequence II. The modification in Sequence I, occurring at the methionyl residue, represented an alkylation by the epoxide to form a sulfonium salt. This methionine residue is located 38 residues from the COOH terminus of pepsin. The modification of the β-carboxyl group of the aspartyl residue in Sequence II was an esterification reaction. The location of this aspartyl residue in the primary structure of pepsin is uncertain. Extensive homology exists between the epoxide-modified aspartyl Sequence II and the previously reported diazo-reactive aspartyl sequence. The sequence confirmed data from a previous study (Tang, J. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 4510) which indicated that 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane reacts with two main sites of pepsin and that these sites differ from those reactive with diazo and p-bromophenacyl bromide inactivators of pepsin.
Baroreflex Control of Systemic Arterial Pressure and Vascular Bed

The sections in this article are: 1 Methods of Analysis 1.1 Evaluation of Baroreflex and Experimental Procedures 1.2 Elements of Control Theory for Physiological Barostat 1.3 Estimation of Open-Loop Characteristics From Closed-Loop Perturbations 1.4 Summary 2 Overall Performance of Baroreflex 2.1 Static Open-Loop Performance 2.2 Dynamic Performance 2.3 Summation of Baroreflex 2.4 Modulation of Baroreceptor Reflex 2.5 Summary 3 Effector Mechanisms for Arterial Pressure Control 3.1 Reflex Control of Cardiac Output Versus Vascular Resistance 3.2 Nonuniform Efferent Signals 4 Epilogue 4.1 Efferent Innervation 4.2 Nonlinear Characteristics 4.3 Reflex in Intact Subject 4.4 Reflex Control of Cardiac Output and Vascular Resistance and Capacity
Simulation of induction machine starting transients using state variable techniques

A simple, fast, and accurate algorithm for determining induction machine starting transients is presented. The fifth-order system of differential equations is divided into three lower-order subsystems. An iterative solution technique utilizing discrete time linear state-variable techniques is used for solution of two linear subsystems instead of the commonly used inefficient numerical techniques. The solution of the third subsystem is obtained by using well-known numerical techniques. The accuracy of the algorithm is comparable to that of the fifth-order model, and the CPU time requirements are as little as 31% of that required by the fifth-order model. >
Revision of occipital nerve stimulator leads: technical note of two techniques.

Objective: Occipital nerve stimulation can be effective therapy for recalcitrant headache disorders. Lead migration remains the primary technical adverse event associated with this therapy. Revision surgery for occipital nerve stimulator leads sometimes requires exposure of all components including internal pulse generator, extension cables, connectors, and leads with multiple incisions. However, minimizing the invasiveness of revision surgery reduces the time, infection risk, and discomfort associated with the procedure. We describe two techniques that attempt to minimize the extent of revision surgery necessary for lead migration. Materials and Methods: We describe two minimally invasive revision techniques. One uses a 14-gauge Tuohy needle converted to a slotted needle. The other uses a standard Tuohy needle inserted subcutaneously into the anchor site along the desired course of the lead. Results: Both techniques allow replacement of a migrated occipital nerve stimulator lead while eliminating the need to access connector or battery sites with multiple incisions. Conclusions: When migration occurs, the techniques described can simplify lead revision while minimizing the invasiveness of the procedure.
Occurrence of protein a in staphylococcal strains: quantitative aspects and correlation to antigenic and bacteriophage types.

Abstract Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus can be detected on cell walls of intact bacteria by use of radioactively labeled myeloma globulin. Of 156 strains of S. aureus, 141 (90%) contained protein A. None of 47 S. epidermidis strains was positive for protein A. The production of protein A was influenced by incubation temperature but not by differences in incubation time or inoculum size. A medium containing a high concentration of NaCl suppressed the production of protein A by 90%. Formalin treatment of protein A-containing strains caused a decrease in the amount detected, but no further decrease was detected after storage at 4 C. No correlation was found between absence or presence of protein A and phage type or phage group. Sixteen S. aureus strains were studied extensively. There was no correlation between protein A and any of the 26 antigenic characteristics which have been previously described in these strains.
Asymptotic behavior of Heun function and its integral formalism

The Heun function generalizes all well-known special functions such as Spheroidal Wave, Lame, Mathieu, and hypergeometric 2F1, 1F1 and 0F1 functions. Heun functions are applicable to diverse areas such as theory of black holes, lattice systems in statistical mechanics, solution of the Schr¨ odinger equation of quantum mechanics, and addition of three quantum spins. In this paper, applying three term recurrence formula [9], we consider asymptotic behaviors of Heun function and its integral formalism including all higher terms of An’s. 1 We show how the power series expansion of Heun functions can be converted to closed-form integrals for all cases of infinite series and polynomial. One interesting observation resulting from the calculations is the fact that a 2F1 function recurs in each of sub-integral forms: the first sub-integral form contains zero term of A 0 s, the second one contains one term of An’s, the third one contains two terms of An’s, etc. Applying three term recurrence formula, we consider asymptotic behaviors of Heun functions
Parental Positive Reinforcement with Deviant Children: Does It Make a Difference?.

The purpose of this paper is to review data on the effectiveness of parental positive reinforcement with deviant children. Three areas are reviewed: Non-intervention studies, intervention studies, and consumer satisfaction studies. Results from the first two areas suggest that parental positive reinforcement is neither a necessary nor sufficient procedure to produce or maintain changes in deviant behavior. Results from the consumer satisfaction area indiciate that positive reinforcement is viewed by parents as being both an acceptable and a useful procedure. Therapist recognition of the limitations of positive reinforcement is stressed.
Bogland utilization: An impending Irish land use dilemma

Abstract Past policy in Ireland has dictated that boglands be exploited chiefly for fuel. But recent experimentation has revealed considerable potential for agriculture, horticulture, and afforestation. Such revelations have stimulated controversy over future bogland utilization. Simply stated, should the bogs be excavated to their floor for maximum fuel output, or should a substantial layer of peat be preserved for other uses? The urgency of this dilemma is accentuated by the fact that most large Irish bogs will be exhausted in only thirty years.
Genetic variation in two widespread species of salamanders, Taricha granulosa and Taricha torosa

Two species of the genus Taricha are widely distributed. T. granulosa ranges from southern Alaska to central California. T. torosa is comprised of two described subspecies, T. t. torosa, which occupies much of the coast ranges of California, and T. t. sierrae, which inhabits the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A starch gel electrophoretic survey for genetic variation at 34 loci in four population samples of T. granulosa and at 40 loci in five population samples of T. torosa reveals differences among these taxa both in amounts of intrapopulational variability and in patterns of geographic variation. Average observed heterozygosity is 9.6%±0.3% in T. granulosa, 3.3%±0.5% in T. t. torosa, and 7.2%±1.2% in T. t. sierrae. Average numbers of alleles per locus and proportions of polymorphic loci are also highest in T. granulosa, intermediate in T. t. sierrae, and lowest in T. t. torosa. Oregon and California granulosa are genetically nearly as different as the subspecies of torosa, but geographic variation is continuous in the former. T. torosa on the other hand is comprised of three distinct gene pools—T. t. sierrae and northern and southern races of T. t. torosa. Strikingly different amounts of intrapopulational genetic variation and patterns of geographic variation may be explained by steadystate species differences, but historical causes may also exist.
NPM/ALK downregulates p27Kip1 in a PI-3K-dependent manner.

Objectives Anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCL) are frequently associated with the chromosomal translocation t(2;5) (p23;q35) resulting in the NPM/ALK fusion gene that encodes a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase. We showed that NPM/ALK stimulated cell proliferation and that PI-3K/AKT pathway played an important role in this effect. p27 Kip1 is a member of the CDK family inhibitory proteins regulating the entry into S phase. It was reported that p27 Kip1 function is impaired in many tumors. In this study we investigated the role of PI-3K/AKT in NPM/ALK-dependent downregulation of p27 Kip1 protein. Materials and Methods To investigate this phenomenon the pro-B cell line BaF3, BaF3 cell line stably expressing NPM/ALK, and ALCL SUP-M2 cell line were used. The p27 Kip1 protein expression before and after LY294002, wortmannin, or epoxomicin treatment and phosphorylation status of AKT were measured in parental and NPM/ALK + cells by Western analysis. Also, the localization of p27 Kip1 protein was analyzed by fractionation and immunoblotting. Results p27 Kip1 was found to be downregulated in NPM/ALK-transformed hematopoietic cells, but inhibition of proteasome-dependent degradation pathway by epoxomicin reversed this effect. In addition, treatment of NPM/ALK + cells with LY294002, the PI-3K inhibitor, caused elevation of p27 Kip1 protein expression and its nuclear localization. Conclusions Taken together, we postulate that NPM/ALK–PI-3K pathway stimulates cell proliferation by regulation of the expression and nuclear localization of p27 Kip1 .
Calnexin Influences Folding of Human Class I Histocompatibility Proteins but Not Their Assembly with β2-Microglobulin

Class I major histocompatibility complex heavy chains bind to calnexin before associating with β2-microglobulin (β2m) and peptides. Calnexin has been shown to retain in the endoplasmic reticulum those class I heavy chains which have not assembled properly and, thus, to serve as a quality control mechanism. In addition, calnexin may direct the folding of class I subunits or their subsequent assembly. We asked whether calnexin plays a role in the initial folding of HLA-B∗0702 heavy chains by assessing disulfide bond formation in vivo. Our results show that class I heavy chains form intrachain disulfide bonds very soon after translation, and that calnexin is bound to both reduced and oxidized forms during this process. When a cell-permeable reducing agent, dithiothreitol, was added to cells, disulfide bond formation in newly synthesized heavy chains was substantially blocked, as was their association with calnexin. The reducing agent appeared to affect calnexin directly, since binding was similarly abolished to a subset of proteins which do not contain internal disulfide bonds. Addition of the glucosidase inhibitor castanospermine to cells, shown previously to disrupt calnexin binding to ligands, slowed formation of disulfide bonds but did not decrease the amount of assembled heavy chain-β2m complexes that formed. Our data suggest that calnexin can promote disulfide bond formation in class I heavy chains but does not directly facilitate subsequent binding to β2m.
Single-molecule methods leap ahead

Much of our knowledge about biological systems has been obtained by examining ensembles of molecules. However, this has begun to change because of the unprecedented precision and clarity afforded by single-molecule measurements. The last decade has seen amazing advances in the resolution and complexity of these methods, making it possible to ask and answer entirely new types of biological questions.
A Blueprint for Green Marketing

Companies have rushed to market environmentally acceptable products. But according to the author, many have ignored the planning considerations that should have preceded the development and promotion of these “green” products.
Psychosocial treatments for cocaine dependence: the role of depressive symptoms.

Abstract Background The association between cocaine use and depression has been frequently observed. However, less is known about the significance of depression in the treatment of cocaine use disorders. This study examined possible interrelations between drug use and depression severity among cocaine-dependent patients in psychosocial treatments for cocaine dependence. Methods Monthly assessed drug use and depression severity scores of N = 487 patients during 6-month psychosocial treatments for cocaine dependence were analyzed using hybrid latent growth models. Results Results indicated a moderate but statistically significant ( z = 3.13, p Conclusions Findings suggest that depression symptoms are an important predictor of drug use outcomes during psychosocial treatments for cocaine dependence and, hence, underline the importance of adequately addressing depression symptoms to improve treatment outcomes.
Hypnotherapy in the treatment of childhood psychogenic coughing: a case report.

Abstract A case study is presented of an 11-year-old child evidencing severe, intractable psychogenic coughing. The patient was treated with hypnotherapy consisting of mental imagery, direct suggestion, and self-hypnosis. In addition, the parents were instructed to avoid reinforcing the patient's symptoms through attention. A 7-month follow-up revealed a rapid and complete elimination of the psychogenic cough and good adjustment.
A Thick-Film Television Video IF Amplifier Using Compatible Components

This paper describes development of a Thick-Film Television Video IF Amplifier Module. Discrete high-Q components compatible with thick-film techniques have been developed at Texas Instruments Incorporated. Their effectiveness as adjustable reactive elements has been successfully demonstrated by incorporating them in hybrid modules and using them as frequency selective elements in a commercial television receiver. Adequate tuning control has been achieved using airbrasive techniques to remove core material from toroidal transformers and to decrease the conductive surface area of flip-chip capacitors. Considerable attention is devoted to selection of magnetic and dielectric materials and to the shape and size of components consistent with adequate volumetric effi-efficiency. Suggestions in connection with automatic alignment procedures which circumvent the need for conventional slug adjustment and observation are also included.
Hepatic lesions other than neoplasms in subadult flatfish from puget sound, washington: relationships with indices of contaminant exposure

Abstract Liver neoplasms are rare in young wild fish; therefore, it is essential to consider toxicopathic liver lesions that occur earlier than neoplasms as biomarkers of contaminant exposure in studies where targeted or available fish are not adults. Also some exposure effects may be more reliably assessed in younger fish that have not yet migrated extensively. We addressed these issues by histologically examining subadult English sole, rock sole, and starry flounder captured from eight sites in Puget Sound, and by measuring fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) in bile and polychlorinated hiphenyls (PCBs) in liver. Neoplasms were detected rarely; higher prevalences of preneoplastic, regenerative, and degenerative lesions were detected in most species, primarily from contaminated sites, including hydropic vacuolation of hepatocytes and biliary cells in rock sole and starry flounder. These nomeoplastic lesion types are inducible in fish by exposure to various toxicants in the laboratory, and/or (in the case of hydropic vacuolation) are associated with contaminant exposure and liver neoplasia in adult wild fish. Prevalences of these ‘early’ lesions were significantly higher at the more contaminated sites, as determined by several statistical approaches, including logistic regression. Moreover, prevalences of most lesions in all three species correlated with mean bile FAC levels at the sites, and prevalences of some lesions in English sole correlated with liver PCB levels. The present findings further support the utility of certain liver lesions other than neoplasms as early indicators of biological damage in subadult as well as adult fish exposed to xenobiotics in the marine environment.
Optimization of Photothermal Refraction for Flowing Liquid Samples

A model has been developed for photothermal refraction using flowing liquid samples. In photothermal refraction, a cylindrical thermal lens is formed within the sample because of the temperature rise produced by the absorbance of a pump laser beam. This cylindrical thermal lens is intersected at right angles with a second probe laser. For static samples, the maximum signal results when the pump and probe beams are coplanar. Defocusing of the probe beam by the cylindrical thermal lens is detected as a change in the far-field probe beam center intensity. Flow acts to distort the temperature distribution by transporting heat down stream. For flowing samples, the optimum signal is found when the probe beam is located about one pump beam spot size down stream from the pump beam axis.
Melville and Scoresby on whiteness

La description des paysages polaires par Scoresby comme source litteraire de la metaphore de la blancheur dans Moby Dick.
Tyrosine Kinases Are Required for Catecholamine Secretion and Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Activation in Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Nicotine-induced catecholamine secretion in bovine adrenomedullary chromaffin cells is accompanied by rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins, most notably the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The requirement for activation of tyrosine kinases and MAPKs in chromaffin cell exocytosis was investigated using a panel of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Genistein and tyrphostin 23, two compounds that inhibit tyrosine kinases by distinct mechanisms, were found to inhibit secretion by >90% in cells stimulated by nicotine, 55 mM KCl, or the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187. Inhibition of secretion induced by all three secretagogues correlated with a block in both protein tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the MAPKs and their activators (MEKs) in situ. However, neither genistein nor tyrphostin 23 inhibited the activities of the MAPKs or MEKs in vitro. These results indicate that the target(s) of inhibition lie downstream of Ca 2+ influx and upstream of MEK activation. This Ca 2+ -activated tyrosine kinase activity could not be accounted for entirely by c-Src or Fyn (two nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that are expressed abundantly in chromaffin cells), because their in vitro kinase activities were not inhibited by tyrphostin 23 and only partially inhibited by genistein. These results demonstrate that an unidentified Ca 2+ -activated tyrosine kinase(s) is required for MAPK activation and exocytosis in chromaffin cells and suggest that MAPK participates in the regulation of secretion.
Perceptions of neighborhood collective efficacy moderate the impact of maltreatment on aggression

This study examined the moderating influence of positive neighborhood factors such as social cohesion and informal social control (collective efficacy), on the relationship between child maltreatment and aggressive behavior at age 12. Caregiver (N = 861) and youth (N = 823) dyads were interviewed when youth were aged 12 as part of a longitudinal study of child abuse and neglect (LONGSCAN). Caregivers and youth provided reports of youth externalizing behaviors while caregivers provided perceptions of collective efficacy. Child Protective Services records and youth's self-report of abuse experiences provided information on history of maltreatment. Multivariate analyses examined the moderating effect of collective efficacy on the influence of child abuse and neglect on youth externalizing behaviors. Neighborhood factors did moderate the association between earlier neglect and aggression at age 12, such that youth who experienced neglect, but not abuse, had lower externalizing scores in neighborhoods with higher levels of collective efficacy. Neighborhood-level factors such as collective efficacy should be considered as protective in preventing externalizing behaviors for youth who have experienced maltreatment.
More about maximal (n, r)-sets

Consider a finite r -dimensional projective space PG ( r, s) based on the Galois field GF ( s ) where s is prime or power of a prime. A set of n distinct points in PG ( r, s) , no t linearly dependent, is said to be maximal or complete if it is not contained in any other set with n * points with n * > n . The number of points in a maximal set is denoted by m t ( r + 1, s ). The purpose of this paper is to improve the existing bounds for m 5 ( r + 1, s ) for r ⩾ 5 and s ⩾ 5 (odd). The investigation of maximal sets in certain relationships of t, r and s yields parity check matrices of ( r + 1) rows and n columns with elements from GF ( s ) satisfying the condition that no t columns are linearly dependent. This problem has applications to coding theory and also in the theory of fractionally replicated designs.
Tidal current asymmetry in shallow estuaries and tidal creeks

Abstract We examine tidal asymmetry in a 100-km long coastal plain estuary, a 15-km long tidal creek closed at the end, and a small side channel of a coastal plain estuary closed at low water. Current meter and water depth data were harmonically analyzed for M2 and the M4 and M6 overtide. The results are displayed in a plot of tidal current versus water level and the effects of the M2, M2+M4, and M2+M4+M6 are compared in order to show how overtides affect tidal asymmetry in the different systems. The long estuary showed a gradual increase in tidal current asymmetry. The current takes on a more progressive nature as it goes into the estuary, as indicated by increasing lags between high or low water and the corresponding slack water. On the other hand, the tidal creek has its reflection point at the head, a relatively short distance from the observations, which reflects the incident tidal wave more efficiently. The tidal creek has a high salt marsh which is covered only an hour or so before high water. Since its intertidal areas flood and drain near the time of high water, maximum flood and ebb currents occur a short time before and after high water slack throughout the tidal creek. Most of the tidal energy is dissipated at the end of the creek where M6/M2 of the tidal current almost doubles. The small side channel has tidal flats that become covered soon after the time of low water. The relative time of maximum flood and ebb currents occurs much closer to the time of low-water-slack, which contrasts significantly to the timing in the tidal creek channel surrounded by high salt marsh.
Diurnal behavior of thermal images

We show that global and local characteristic features of thermal images undergo considerable diurnal changes. In particular, the standard deviation of the gray-level distribution of thermal images increases with the intensity of the solar flux and the diversity of the microtopography, while the spatial correlation length decreases under the same conditions.