cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
T-DNA is organized predominantly in inverted repeat structures in plants transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 derivatives

The detailed structural organization of DNA sequences transferred to the plant genome via Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been determined in 11 transgenic tomato plants that carry the transferred DNA (T-DNA) at a single genetic locus. The majority (seven) of these plants were found to carry multiple copies of T-DNA arranged in inverted repeat structures. Such a high frequency of inverted repeats among transgenotes has not been previously reported and appears to be characteristic of transformation events caused by C58/pGV3850 strains of Agrobacterium. The inverted repeats were found to be centered on either the left or the right T-DNA boundary and both types were observed at similar frequency. In several plants both types of inverted repeat were found to coexist in the same linear array of elements. Direct repeats were observed in two plants, each time at the end of an array of inverted repeat elements, and at a lower frequency than inverted repeats. The junctions between T-DNA elements and plant DNA sequences and the junctions between adjacent T-DNA elements were mapped in the same 11 plants, allowing the determination of the distribution of junction points at each end for both types of junction. Based on a total of 17 distinct junctions at the right end of T-DNA and 19 at the left end, the distribution of junction points was found to be much more homogeneous at the right end than at the left end. Left end junctions were found to be distributed over a 3 kb region of T-DNA with two thirds of the junctions within 217 bp of the left repeat. Two thirds of the right end junctions were found to lie within 11 bp of the right repeat with the rest more than 39 bp from the right repeat. T-DNA::plant DNA junctions and T-DNA::T-DNA inverted repeat junctions showed similar distributions of junction points at both right and left ends. The possibilities that T-DNA inverted repeats are unstable in plants and refractory to cloning in wild type Escherichia coli is discussed. Two distinct types of mechanisms for inverted repeat formation are contrasted, replication and ligation mechanisms.
Infrared spectroscopy studies of the cyclic anhydride as the intermediate for the ester crosslinking of cotton cellulose by polycarboxylic acids. III. Molecular weight of a crosslinking agent

Polycarboxylic acids have been used as nonformaldehyde crosslinking agents for cotton fabrics to replace the traditional N-methylol reagents. In this research, we compared 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) with poly(maleic acid) (PMA) as crosslinking agents for cotton cellulose. BTCA and PMA have similar molecular structures with carboxyl groups bonded to their molecular backbones, and both form five-membered cyclic anhydride intermediates during a curing process. However, BTCA is a more effective crosslinking agent for cotton cellulose than PMA. This is mainly attributed to the differences in the mobility of the anhydride intermediates to access the cellulosic hydroxyl groups during a curing process. The mobility of the anhydride intermediate of PMA is reduced due to its molecular size and multiple bonding between a PMA molecule and cellulose. Consequently, more anhydride and less ester are detected on the cotton fabric treated with PMA than on the fabric treated with BTCA. The amount of the unreacted anhydride intermediate on the fabric treated with PMA is reduced whereas the amount of ester is increased when another hydroxyl-containing compound of low molecular weight is present. Thus, the infrared spectroscopy data show a clear link between the molecular weight of a polycarboxylic acid and its effectiveness for crosslinking cotton cellulose.
Managerial Perceptions of Privatization: Evidence from a State Department of Transportation

ARGUMENTS IN favor of privatization pose what are referred to here as Rainey’s conundrum (2003). Rainey notes that one of the key rationales offered for privatization is that the public sector is poorly managed. Ironically, however, successful privatization requires outstanding publicsector management. In particular, the move from a centralized command-and-control style bureaucratic structure to contract-based program delivery demands a sophisticated set of managerial skills and structural changes that would challenge the most effi cient and effective organization regardless of sector affi liation (Cooper 2003). The managerial requirements of privatization for midlevel managers—the focus of this article—are particularly signifi cant. With respect to contracting out, managers can be involved in preparing requests for proposals, reviewing submitted proposals, providing input into contracting decisions, crafting contract language, and ushering contracts through internal approval processes (Seidenstat 1999, 240; Rusten 1999, 190). Once contracts have been signed, midlevel managers may be the primary overseers of contractors, providing direction, monitoring contractual tasks, and ensuring compliance with contract terms (Seidenstat 1999, 240). While not a technical step in contracting out, building relationships with contractors is a necessary step toward facilitating effective alternative service delivery (Cooper 2003, 101). Despite their signifi cant contribution to privatization processes, midlevel managers have largely been ignored in studies of privatization’s stakeholders. Rather, more attention has been devoted to the privatization responses of citizens, political leaders, city managers, and state agency directors. Studies examining citizen attitudes toward privatization have argued the importance of public opinion to political support for privatization and the strategic value of such information (Durant and Legge 2002; Thompson and Elling 2000). The attitudes of state legislators toward contracting out have been justifi ed by the importance of legislative support to administrators in designing alternative service-delivery systems (Becker and Mackelprang 1990). Studies of city managers have focused on the relationship between their government reform values and the level of reform activity in their cities (Moon and deLeon 2001), as well as the number of reform recommendations they make to city councils (Kearney, Feldman, and Scavo 2000; Kearney and Scavo 2001). Finally, state-level reinvention efforts have been studied as a function of Managerial Perceptions of Privatization: Evidence from a State Department of Transportation
Effect of base layer materials on physiological and perceptual responses to exercise in personal protective equipment.

Ten men (non-firefighters) completed a 110 min walking/recovery protocol (three 20-min exercise bouts, with recovery periods of 10, 20, and 20 min following successive bouts) in a thermoneutral laboratory while wearing firefighting personal protective equipment over one of four base layers: cotton, modacrylic, wool, and phase change material. There were no significant differences in changes in heart rate, core temperature, rating of perceived exertion, thermal discomfort, and thermal strain among base layers. Sticking to skin, coolness/hotness, and clothing humidity sensation were more favorable (p < 0.05) for wool compared with cotton; no significant differences were identified for the other 7 clothing sensations assessed. Separate materials performance testing of the individual base layers and firefighting ensembles (base layer + turnout gear) indicated differences in thermal protective performance and total heat loss among the base layers and among ensembles; however, differences in heat dissipation did not correspond with physiological responses during exercise or recovery.
Cattle, other domestic animal ownership, and distance between dwelling structures are associated with reduced risk of recurrent Plasmodium falciparum infection in southern Zambia.

OBJECTIVES To examine the associations between household Plasmodium falciparum infection and a number of factors including domestic animal ownership, potential mosquito breeding sites, indoor darkness, density of people, distance between dwelling structures, and insecticide-treated bed net use. METHODS Analyses were based on data collected from a household survey conducted in Macha, Zambia. Thirty-four households with recurrent malaria infection in 2005-2008 were selected as case households and compared with 37 control households with no malaria infection randomly selected from the same geographic area. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with household P. falciparum infection. RESULTS In multivariate analysis, cattle ownership was associated with reduced risk of P. falciparum infection (adjusted odds ratio = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.05-0.69), as was increased distance between dwelling structures (aOR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.07-0.98). Ownership of the highest category of cattle, goats, dogs, or cats dramatically reduced the risk of P. falciparum infection (aOR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.03-0.56). CONCLUSION Domestic animal, in particular cattle, ownership and greater distance between dwelling structures were associated with reduced risk of recurrent P. falciparum infection at the household level. These factors should be further investigated as supplemental measures for malaria control in rural African settings.
PEG-modulated column chromatography for purification of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9

Column chromatography has been described for purification of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) serotypes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8. Some of these purification processes have been used in manufacturing pre-clinical grade and clinical grade rAAV vectors. Recently, recombinant AAV9 has been reported to be highly efficient in transducing cardiac muscle in animal models. Systemic or cardiac gene delivery and other applications may require large quantities of rAAV9 vectors, thus a scalable method supporting large scale purification of rAAV9 is needed for clinical development. However, column chromatography-based purification has not been reported to date for rAAV9. This study reports a polyethylene glycol (PEG) modulated chromatography process for purification of AAV9 vectors. Inclusion of PEG in chromatography buffers modulated rAAV9 elution profiles in a manner that resulted in significantly improved resin binding capacity, vector purity and yield. PEG-modulated methods were developed and optimized for hydroxyapatite and ion exchange chromatography, and shown to result in vectors of high purity and functional activity.
Penicillium bilaji and phosphorus fertilization effects on the growth, development, yield and common root rot severity of spring wheat

A strain ofPenicillium bilaji Chalabuda (PB) has recently been commercially released as a seed inoculant to increase phosphorus (P) uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of drill applied P (15 kg P ha−1) with PB seed inoculation on early growth, development, P uptake, and grain yield of ‘Stoa’ spring wheat at four sites in North Dakota.
Activated human B lymphocytes express three CTLA-4 counterreceptors that costimulate T-cell activation

Signaling via the T-cell receptor complex is necessary but not sufficient to induce antigen-specific T lymphocytes to expand clonally. To proliferate, T cells must receive one or more costimulatory signals provided by antigen presenting cells (APCs). One such critical costimulatory signal is delivered by the CD28/CTLA-4 counterreceptor, B7, expressed on APCs. B7 costimulation induces CD28 signaling, resulting in interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion, and T-cell proliferation. Conversely, T-cell receptor signaling in the absence of B7 costimulation results in induction of antigen-specific tolerance. Here, we show that activated human B lymphocytes express two additional CTLA-4 counterreceptors also capable of providing T-cell costimulation. At 24 hr postactivation, B cells express a CTLA-4 counterreceptor not recognized by anti-B7 or -BB-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which induces detectable IL-2 secretion and T-cell proliferation. At 48 and 72 hr postactivation, B cells express both B7 and a third CTLA-4 counterreceptor identified by the anti-BB-1 mAb. BB-1 appears to be a molecule distinct from B7 by its expression on B7- cells and its capacity to induce T cells to proliferate without significant accumulation of IL-2. As observed for B7, costimulatory signals mediated by these alternative CTLA-4/CD28 counterreceptors are likely to be essential for generation of an immune response and their absence may result in antigen-specific tolerance. We propose the following terminology for these CTLA-4 counterreceptors: (i) B7, B7-1; (ii) early CTLA-4 binding counterreceptor, B7-2; and (iii) BB-1, B7-3.
Some characteristics of longitudinal vortices produced by line-source heating in a low-speed wind tunnel

Abstract Wind tunnel measurements of temperature and velocity fields of a buoyant plume and vortex pair that formed above a heated nichrome wire are described. The differential heating and subsequent temperature gradient, transverse to the main stream flow, produced the longitudinal vortex pair through interaction with the boundary layer. This experiment produced velocity and temperature distributions quite different from those associated with uniform surface heating. The discussion includes possible application to forest fires.
Trends in Cost-sharing in the US and Potential International Implications

‘Cost-sharing’ refers to the principle that a variety of sources contribute to the cost of higher education. This study utilizes university-level data from the United States to explore the increasing shift of cost burdens from governments to students. Panel regression results suggest that the share of expenditures drawn from tuition increases as a college or university draws a larger share of its total enrolment from low-income households. This, along with other findings, raises troubling questions of equity by suggesting that the burdens of heightened tuition reliance fall upon those who are least able to bear them.
Regulation of ferrochelatase gene expression by hypoxia

Ferrochelatase (FECH), the last enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the insertion of iron into protoporphyrin to form heme. This pathway provides heme for hemoglobin and other essential hemoproteins. The regulatory role of oxygen in the pathway has not been clearly established. In this study, we examined whether FECH gene expression is upregulated during hypoxia by a mechanism which involves the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Two HIF-1 binding motifs were identified within the -150 bp FECH minimal promoter sequence. Exposure of HEL, K562, and Hep-G2 cells to hypoxia for 18 hours resulted in a significant increase in FECH mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Hypoxia also transactivated the minimal promoter for the FECH gene in the cells. Transient co-expression of wild-type HIF-1alpha or a dominant negative HIF-1alpha with the FECH minimal promoter luciferase construct stimulated or blocked FECH promoter activity, respectively. Expression of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor factor blocked the expression of both FECH mRNA and HIF-1alpha protein during normoxic culture of renal carcinoma cell line (RCC4). The results suggest that the FECH gene is a target for HIF-1 during hypoxia.
The difference that empire makes: institutions and politics of citizenship in Germany and Austria

Austria has had much higher naturalization rates than Germany. Two arguments are made based on institutional regime theory and left political power. First, the imperial experiences of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that colonized 11 different nations explains Austria's relative openness, and the monocultural experience of the German Reich that tried to impose German language and culture on partitioned Poland casts light on Austria's open and Germany's rather closed approach to ethnic integration. This first argument covers initial state formation focusing on ethnicity, the Austrian colonization versus German occupation, different ethnicities and languages in the military and bureaucracy, and comparisons involving the partition of Poland and religion in Bavaria. The second argument is a political analysis of legislation concerning how institutionalized regime types and left/green party power influenced the naturalization policies that were enacted into law from 1946 to 2005. The post-World War II analysis sho...
Production cost functions and demand uncertainty effects in price-only contracts

The price-only contract is the simplest and most common contract between a supplier and buyer in a supply chain. In such a contract, the supplier proposes a fixed wholesale price, and the buyer chooses a corresponding order quantity. The buyer’s optimal behavior is modeled using the Newsvendor model and the supplier’s optimal behavior is modeled as the solution to an optimization problem. This article explores, for the first time, the impact of general production costs on the supplier’s and buyer’s behavior. It is revealed that increased supplier’s production efficiency, reflected in lower marginal production costs, increases the buyer’s optimal profit. Therefore, a buyer would always prefer the more efficient supplier. A higher supplier efficiency, however, may or may not increase the supplier’s optimal profit, depending on the production function’s fixed costs. The effect of demand uncertainty, as measured by the coefficient of variation, is shown to increase the optimal order quantity. The uncertainty ...
Conditioned fear in the fish.

Stmmary.-Paradise fish, macropodus opercularis, were given inescapable shocks in the black side of a two-compartment box. Following training they showed acquisition of a target-striking instrumental response which permitted them to escape from the black compartment to a white compartment. Nonshocked control Ss also showed evidence of learning, probably based on an exploratory drive, but their behavior was far less persistent than that of the experimental group. The results are compared with those of other studies, on both the fish and mammals, which have investigated the effects of conditioned fear training, and some theoretical implications are drawn.
The Man With "Pseudo-Occlusion" Syndrome: A Case Report.

We present a case of a patient with acute colonic pseudo obstruction (Ogilvie ’ s Syndrome) in a 63-year-old Hispanic male with multiple co morbidities, sent from the Nursing Home for evaluation of progressive abdominal distention. Clinical examination and diagnostic workup confirmed massive colonic dilatation, without mechanical obstruction. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/gr519e
Noble gases on metal surfaces: Insights on adsorption site preference

We use a nonlocal van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF) approach to reexamine the problem of why noble gases are experimentally observed to adsorb on low-coordination atop sites rather than on high-coordination hollow sites for several different metal surfaces. Previous calculations using density functional theory (DFT) within the local density approximation (LDA) ascribed the site preference to reduced Pauli repulsion at atop sites, largely due to reduced exchange repulsion within LDA-DFT. In contrast, our vdW-DF calculations show that site preference is not due to differences in the exchange repulsion at all, but rather the result of a delicate balance between the electrostatic and kinetic energies; surprisingly, exchange-correlation energies play a negligible role in determining site preference. In contrast to previous calculations, we find that experimental results cannot be explained in terms of binding energy differences between atop and hollow sites. Instead, we show that the hollow sites are transition states rather than minima on the two-dimensional potential energy surface, and therefore not likely to be observed in experiments. This phenomenon is quite general, holding for close-packed and non-close-packed metal surfaces. We show that inclusion of nonlocal vdW interactions is crucial for obtaining results in quantitative agreement with experiments for adsorptionmore » energies, equilibrium distances, and vibrational energies.« less
Strong feelings: Emotional responses to presidents

Although rational models of political behavior prevail in research on public approval of presidents, an emotions model is proposed to consider whether it actually predicts approval as well as, if not better than, the existing rational models. The emotions model is tested for Presidents Carter and Reagan using the American National Election Studies from 1980 to 1986. The model is compared with two rational models: one, an events and conditions model, suggests that people's prospective and retrospective views of their own financial circumstances and the economy dictate their approval of presidential performance; a second, an issue proximity model, proposes that the closeness (or distance) people perceive between their views on key issues and those of the president affects their approval of the president's job. Across numerous tests, the results indicate that the emotions model outperforms either of the rational models. In addition, a multivariate analysis combining rational and emotional indicators shows the strength of the emotions variables. The study concludes that political science research must more fully consider rational and emotional explanations of political behavior.
Jets from Quantum Chromodynamics

The properties of hadronic jets in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation are examined in quantum chromodynamics, without using the assumptions of the parton model. We find that two-jet events dominate the cross section at high energy, and have the experimentally observed angular distribution. Estimates are given for the jet angular radius and its energy dependence. We argue that the detailed results of perturbation theory for production of arbitrary numbers of quarks and gluons can be reinterpreted in quantum chromodynamics as predictions for the production of jets.
Internal and external gains from international outsourcing

This article examines the implications of international outsourcing in the Heckscher–Ohlin model of general equilibrium by explicitly expounding the external effects to the outsourcing firms. With its focus paced on the labor-augmenting effect of outsourcing, it shows that (a) the standard result of welfare-enhancing outsourcing always holds in the absence of external effects, and (b) in the presence of external effects, however, (i) outsourcing may be welfare-reducing for the outsourcing country; (ii) the effects of outsourcing on sectoral outputs, employment and factor prices depend on factor-intensity ranking, and the signs and the relative magnitudes of the sectoral returns to scale.
Angiosarcoma of the face and scalp, prognosis and treatment

72 patients with angiosarcoma (AS) of the face and scalp have been analyzed with respect of various prognostic factors and the effects of different treatment regimes. This disease predominantly occurs in the elderly (age range, 56-92 years), and affects men rather more frequently than women (men: 44, women: 28). The clinical presentation varied, and included bruise-like lesions, dusky plaques, chronic edema or cellulitis, ulcerated nodules, pyoderma, and infected conditions. Due to lack of clinical awareness and problems with histologic assessment, delays in diagnosis were frequent. The majority of the tumors arose in the upper part of the face or scalp. Less commonly, the central part of the face was affected while only three tumors developed in the mandibular region. Overall the prognosis was poor; one half of the patients died within 15 months of presentation. Only 12% of the patients survived 5 years or more. Patients with lesions that were less than 10 cm in diameter responded better to treatment and statistically survived longer than those with larger lesions, emphasizing the crucial importance of early diagnosis. There is some indication that men, younger patients, patients with lesions on the central part of the face survived longer, but this was not of statistical significance. The histologic differentiation of the tumors at presentation also was of doubtful prognostic significance. Despite the overall poor prognosis, radical radiotherapy (mostly wide-field electron-beam therapy) in seven patients resulted in the apparent eradication of the local skin disease and prolonged survival of the patients. Pulmonary metastases developed 10 years later in two of those patients, however, but the face and scalp remained tumor-free.
The porning of America: The rise of porn culture, what it means, and where we go from here

by Carmine Sarracino and Kevin M. Scott Boston: Beacon Press, 2008, 251 pages ISBN: 0-807-06153-0 (hardcover) Price $24.95 ISBN: 0-807-06154-9 (paperback) Price $18.00 Reviewed by Aimee Wodda, Univ...
Comparative Analysis of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Equine Adult-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), umbilical cord blood (CB), and umbilical cord tissue (CT) are increasingly being used to treat equine inflammatory and degenerative lesions. MSCs modulate the immune system in part through mediator secretion. Animal species and MSC tissue of origin are both important determinants of MSC function. In spite of widespread clinical use, how equine MSCs function to heal tissues is fully unknown. In this study, MSCs derived from BM, AT, CB, and CT were compared for their ability to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and secrete mediators in response to activation. Five MSC lines from each tissue were isolated. Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in a mixed leukocyte reaction, and mediator secretion was determined by ELISA. Regardless of tissue of origin, quiescent MSCs did not alter lymphocyte proliferation or secrete mediators, except for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1). When stimulated, MSCs of all tissue types decreased l...
Barriers to psychotherapy among depressed and nondepressed primary care patients

Background: Most primary care patients who experience depression state that they would prefer psychotherapy over antidepressant medications. However, when referrals for psychotherapy are made, only 20% ever follow up, and of these, half drop out of treatment. This suggests that there are substantial barriers to accessing psychotherapy. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate perceived barriers to psychotherapy in a sample of primary care patients and to test the hypothesis that these barriers would be more common among patients with depression. Methods: Patients were sampled from a large primary care service and mailed a survey. The survey included evaluation of barriers using items identified in previous published research, which we refer to as Perceived Barriers to Psychotherapy (PBP). Depression was measured using the Perceived Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ–9). Results: Of the 904 surveys sent, 290 (32.1%) were returned. The PBP produced two factors—practical barriers and emotional barriers—explaining 58.2% of the variance with an internal reliability of α = .79. Among all patients, 59.5% reported at least one barrier that would make it very difficult or impossible to participate in psychotherapy. Depression was associated with increased frequency of perceived barriers, with 74.0% of depressed patients reporting one or more barriers, versus 51.4% of nondepressed patients (p = .008). One or more perceived practical barriers were reported by 56.6% of the sample, whereas only 11.1% reported perceived emotional barriers. Depression was consistently associated with increased emotional barriers. Practical barriers were not consistently associated with depression but were influenced by history of psychotherapy. Conclusions: The majority of primary care patients surveyed reported one or more perceived barriers that would interfere with or prevent initiation or regular attendance of psychotherapy. Perceived barriers were more common among depressed than nondepressed patients making depression both an indicator for psychotherapy and a barrier to receiving it.
Modeling of optical frequency comb generation in whispering gallery mode resonators and limiting effects

We report a detailed study about the various physical mechanisms that may limit the spectral span of optical frequency combs generated with whispering gallery mode resonators. We developed a modal expansion model able to track the individual dynamics of the various modes, and identify the key parameters determining the comb spectral features. We show that, although the walk-off between the dispersive WGM eigenfrequency distribution and the ideal equidistant comb is the main limiting factor, other phenomena such as modal confinement, material absorption, and modal overlap may also play an important role in extending the comb span.
Effects of cholinesterases of rainbow trout exposed to acephate and methamidophos

Determination de l'importance de la depression de la cholinesterase cerebrale associee a diverses concentrations d'acephate, et du temps necessaire pour le retour de cette cholinesterase a la normale apres cette derpession. Etablissement des concentrations tissulaires d'acephate associees au parametre ci-dessus. Etude identique realisee avec le methamidophos a cause de la possibilite de ldesacylation de l'acephate en methamidophos
Democratic transitions and the semiperiphery of the world-economy

The dramatic global transition to democracy of the last decade reveals important systematic patterns. Using recent contributions to world-systems theory, this study examines the relationship between political regime changes and the position of nations in the world-economy over the last two decades, to argue that democratic transitions have been centered among semiperipheral nations. The study also found a strong relationship between the structure of the labor force and the global distribution of democratic institutions, but a weak relationship between the structure of the labor force and the timing of transitions in the semiperiphery. Overall, the findings suggest that world-systemic categories provide a useful vantage point to distinguish global trends from the specific characteristics of individual nations, thereby allowing for greater analytical precision in identifying the crucial causal relations shaping transitions from dictatorship to democracy.
The Chest X-ray in Quadriplegia: A Review of 119 Patients

Chest X-rays of 119 quadriplegic patients were reviewed. The unusual findings were rib erosions and ossification of the coracoclavicular ligaments. It is suggested that pressure from the scapula is likely to be responsible for the erosions but the cause of ossification in the ligaments remains conjectural.
The Area Derivative of a Space-Filling Diagram

The motion of a biomolecule greatly depends on the engulfing solution, which is mostly water. Instead of representing individual water molecules, it is desirable to develop implicit solvent models that nevertheless accurately represent the contribution of the solvent interaction to the motion. In such models, hydrophobicity is expressed as a weighted sum of atomic surface areas. The derivatives of these weighted areas contribute to the force that drives the motion. In this paper we give formulas for the weighted and unweighted area derivatives of a molecule modeled as a space-filling diagram made up of balls in motion. Other than the radii and the centers of the balls, the formulas are given in terms of the sizes of circular arcs of the boundary and edges of the power diagram. We also give inclusion---exclusion formulas for these sizes.
Functional and Structural Changes Induced By cTNT-Related FHC Mutations in TNT1 Alter Actomyosin Binding Interactions

Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) is a primary disease of the cardiac sarcomere. Many FHC mutations in hcTnT are found within the TNT1 domain, with a mutational hotpot at residues 160-163. These residues fall within a highly charged region (158-RREEEENRR-166), which may create a flexible hinge necessary for function, the structure and function of which is affected by FHC mutations. We are investigating the effects of these hotspot mutations using in vitro motility (IVM) assays, SDSL-EPR, and transgenic mouse models. IVM data indicate that mutations Δ160E and E163R disrupt actin binding to heavy meromyosin under standard assay conditions. By reducing the ionic strength of the motility solutions, thin filament binding and sliding are restored suggesting that mutations in this region cause disease by disrupting the weak electrostatic interactions between the thin filament and myosin necessary for crossbridge formation. CW-EPR spectra show an increase in spin label isotropic rotational rate at hcTnT residue 153 (upstream of the putative hinge region) between Troponin ternary complexes containing Δ160E verses WT hcTnT, suggesting an increase in flexibility due to backbone changes induced by the mutation. We are expanding our SDSL-EPR experiments with additional cysteine substitutions superimposed onto 160-163 mutant proteins to provide further data regarding secondary structural changes imposed by these mutations. These results correspond with our Δ160E mouse model showing dose dependant myofilament disarray. Preliminary observations of an E163R model suggest that this mutant is less severely affected, tolerating a higher transgene dose. The structural and functional changes observed in vitro may contribute to the structural impairment seen in vivo. By correlating our IVM and SDSL-EPR findings with in vivo data generated from the Δ160E and E163R models, a mechanism of disease for these hotspot mutations can be determined.
Patient, Physician, Medical Assistant, and Office Visit Factors Associated With Medication List Agreement

Objectives Despite its importance for patient safety, there have been few studies of medication reconciliation in primary care. Our goal was to identify potential patient, physician, medical assistant (MA), and office visit factors associated with accurate medication lists in Cleveland Clinic primary care practices. Methods Physician and MA medication reconciliation activities were directly observed during office visits. The primary outcome was agreement between the electronic medical record medication list at the conclusion of the office visit and what the patients said they were actually taking, assessed by structured telephone interview within 2 weeks of the office visit. Medication list agreement was defined as the absence of any discrepancies in name, dose, frequency, route, and as-needed status. Associations between patient, physician, MA, and office visit factors and medication list accuracy were assessed using χ2 tests and logistic regression. Results Twenty-four physicians and 33 MAs were observed during 231 patient encounters. Nineteen patients (8%) could not be contacted for the telephone interview and were excluded from the analysis. Thirty-two patients (15%) had perfect medication list agreement for prescription and nonprescription medications, and 66 patients (31%) had medication list agreement for prescription medications only. Of the 14 patient, physician, and MA medication reconciliation behaviors examined, only 1, in which the MA begins the medication review with an open-ended question, was significantly associated with a medication list in agreement (odds ratio, 2.96; confidence interval, 1.43-6.09) for prescription and nonprescription medications. This association was not significant when only prescription medications were included (odds ratio, 0.90; confidence interval, 0.43-1.91). No behaviors we observed significantly influenced prescription medication list agreement. Conclusions Having MAs begin their medication review with an open-ended question may be a simple, inexpensive, and easily implemented process to increase accuracy of medication lists for prescription and nonprescription medications.
Persistence of responding on a perceptual-motor task following shifts in informative feedback

Four groups were trained on a pursuit-rotor task which they continued until they “became bored or tired.” After each trial one group was informed that their performance was “good” and a second group that theirs was “poor.” A third group was initially rated “good” and then shifted to “poor,” while the fourth group was shifted from “poor” to “good.” Persistence in responding suggested a “negative contrast effect” following the shift from “good” to “poor,” but no corresponding “positive contrast effect” occurred. No effect on accuracy of performance was obtained. These results are analogous to those obtained in conditioning studies.
The lived experience of Ojibwa and Cree women healers.

The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to describe the meaning and essence of the lived experience of Ojibwa and Cree women healers. The research question, “What is the experience of being an Ojibwa or Cree woman healer?” was asked of a purposive sample of four indigenous women healers, aged 48 to 59, residing in Canada and the United States. The data were collected and analyzed utilizing methods to preserve integrity within the indigenous community. Seven themes emerged from the data. They are as follows: recognizing and unfolding the healing gift; placing faith in the healing ability; mastering indigenous culture, values and traditions; wholesome use of self; interconnection with all; living a balanced, circular life way; and embracing mankind. These seven themes can be employed by nurse healers and/or holistic nurses to practice the art of holistic nursing.
Detection of Microbial Nucleic Acids for Diagnostic Purposes

The last decade has seen an explosion of interest in the use of molecular genetic techniques to diagnose infectious diseases. Specific molecular probes have been developed for nearly all of the significant, known microbial pathogens. The evolution of incrementally more powerful technologies, particularly gene amplification, has made it possible to detect pathogens with exquisite sensitivity, as well as specificity, based on their nucleic acids. As increasingly rapid and automated methods have become incorporated into successive generations of probe tests, these diagnostics have gained increasing acceptance for routine clinical use.
Teflon films for chemically-inert microfluidic valves and pumps

We present a simple method for fabricating chemically-inert Teflon microfluidic valves and pumps in glass microfluidic devices. These structures are modeled after monolithic membrane valves and pumps that utilize a featureless polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane bonded between two etched glass wafers. The limited chemical compatibility of PDMS has necessitated research into alternative materials for microfluidic devices. Previous work has shown that spin-coated amorphous fluoropolymers and Teflon-fluoropolymer laminates can be fabricated and substituted for PDMS in monolithic membrane valves and pumps for space flight applications. However, the complex process for fabricating these spin-coated Teflon films and laminates may preclude their use in many research and manufacturing contexts. As an alternative, we show that commercially-available fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) Teflon films can be used to fabricate chemically-inert monolithic membrane valves and pumps in glass microfluidic devices. The FEP Teflon valves and pumps presented here are simple to fabricate, function similarly to their PDMS counterparts, maintain their performance over extended use, and are resistant to virtually all chemicals. These structures should facilitate lab-on-a-chip research involving a vast array of chemistries that are incompatible with native PDMS microfluidic devices.
Subsurface imaging using ground-penetrating radar measurements

Much work has been done toward reconstructing the electrical parameters of an unknown buried object. Many methods, and accompanying results from simulations, have been presented. Most research in the area, however, has been in developing imaging algorithms that have been tested primarily through computer simulation. This paper presents a newly constructed facility for ground-penetrating radar experiments, as well as the proposed applications for such a facility. The test site consists of a sand-filled volume approximately 15 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 7 feet deep. The experimental setup consists of transmitters and receivers in several common configurations, such as the offset VRP, cross-borehole, and surface-to-surface configurations. The motivations for such an experimental site are presented, as well as the imaging algorithms intended for application. These algorithms include migration techniques, SAR processing, Born-iterative method, and diffraction tomography.
Comparative whole genome sequencing reveals phenotypic tRNA gene duplication in spontaneous Schizosaccharomyces pombe La mutants

We used a genetic screen based on tRNA-mediated suppression (TMS) in a Schizosaccharomyces pombe La protein (Sla1p) mutant. Suppressor pre-tRNA Ser UCA-C47:6U with a debilitating substitution in its variable arm fails to produce tRNA in a sla1-rrm mutant deficient for RNA chaperone-like activity. The parent strain and spontaneous mutant were analyzed using Solexa sequencing. One synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), unrelated to the phenotype, was identified. Further sequence analyses found a duplication of the tRNA Ser UCA-C47:6U gene, which was shown to cause the phenotype. Ninety percent of 28 isolated mutants contain duplicated tRNA Ser UCA-C47:6U genes. The tRNA gene duplication led to a disproportionately large increase in tRNA Ser UCA-C47:6U levels in sla1-rrm but not sla1-null cells, consistent with non-specific low-affinity interactions contributing to the RNA chaperone-like activity of La, similar to other RNA chaperones. Our analysis also identified 24 SNPs between ours and S. pombe 972h- strain yFS101 that was recently sequenced using Solexa. By including mitochondrial (mt) DNA in our analysis, overall coverage increased from 52% to 96%. mtDNA from our strain and yFS101 shared 14 mtSNPs relative to a ‘reference’ mtDNA, providing the first identification of these S. pombe mtDNA discrepancies. Thus, strain-specific and spontaneous phenotypic mutations can be mapped in S. pombe by Solexa sequencing.
Structure recognition of nonlinear discrete-time systems by neural networks

A technique is proposed to identify the structure as well as the parameters of nonlinear discrete-time system models. The structure is represented in a frequency-position domain of Gabor basis functions (GBFs). A simplification to the GBFs is also presented, where the spatial Gaussian envelope of GBFs is replaced with a triangular one. A modification to the GBFs has also been introduced in order to suppress noise effects on the procedure. A three-layered neural network, augmented with nonuniform sampling, is described for solving the system identification problem. >
Codes of Comradeship: Class, Leadership, and Tradition in Munich Social Democracy

In July 1923, the Munich chapter of the Social Democratic Security Troop (Sicherheitsabteilung, hereafter Socialist SA) staged a Festspiel in a suburban woods. The skit’s sylvan setting belied its combative leitmotif, echo of a wider German environment racked by occupation of the Ruhr, hyperinflation, unemployment, and threatening ultraright organizations. The drama aimed to convince its Social Democratic audience to join or support the Security Troop. In the opening scene, a “leader of the SPD” lamented proletarian disunity. As he resolved to quit politics, the “goddess of freedom” materialized and urged him to keep up the fight. To demonstrate that the masses were on the move against reaction, she pointed to a sky blanketed with flags born by members of the Security Troop.1 Four male mortals stepped forward: a former Independent Socialist, a Young Socialist, a Communist, and a “lumpenproletarian.” The Socialist exhorted the Communist to join the SPD but, instead, he lambasted its bureaucratic bosses and called for a council republic. Suddenly, the lumpen’s passivity aroused the group’s distrust. Unmasking him as a Nazi, they chased him offstage. As the Social Democrats went off to a meeting, the wife of the SPD leader told of her sacrifices for a husband and son who devoted themselves to the party. Yet she proclaimed her willingness to suffer “for the sake of proletarian freedom.” The men returned, disgusted that Nazis had busted up their conclave.
Effects on virulence of mutations in a locus essential for hyaluronic acid capsule expression in group A streptococci.

Abstract Mucoid or highly encapsulated strains of group A streptococci have been associated both with unusually severe infections and with acute rheumatic fever. Previously, we described an acapsular mutant, TX4, derived from a mucoid M-type 18 strain of a group A streptococcus by transposon mutagenesis (M. R. Wessels, A. E. Moses, J. B. Goldberg, and T. J. DiCesare, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:8317-8321, 1991). We now report studies further characterizing strain TX4 as well as an additional acapsular mutant, TX72. Strain TX4 was found to contain a 9.5-kb deletion of chromosomal DNA adjacent to the site of transposon Tn916 insertion. Cloned chromosomal DNA from TX4 flanking the transposon insertion site was used as a probe to demonstrate the presence of homologous regions in 11 of 11 wild-type group A streptococcal strains of various M protein types. A second acapsular mutant, TX72, had a single transposon insertion and had no apparent deletion of chromosomal DNA. The Tn916 insertion in TX72 was mapped to the hasA locus (encoding hyaluronate synthase), which lies within the chromosomal region deleted in TX4. Strain TX72 was avirulent in mice and sensitive to phagocytic killing in vitro. Transduction of either the insertion-deletion mutation from TX4 or the simple insertion mutation from TX72 to a type 24 group A streptococcus strain also resulted in loss of capsule expression, demonstrating that a homologous region of the chromosome controls capsule expression in another serotype of group A streptococci. We conclude that the hyaluronic acid capsule plays an important role in virulence and that a region of the chromosome essential for capsular polysaccharide expression is conserved among diverse group A streptococcal strains.
Large Wind Shift on the Great Plains during the Medieval Warm Period

Spring-summer winds from the south move moist air from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Plains. Rainfall in the growing season sustains prairie grasses that keep large dunes in the Nebraska Sand Hills immobile. Longitudinal dunes built during the Medieval Warm Period (800 to 1000 years before the present) record the last major period of sand mobility. These dunes are oriented NW-SE and are composed of cross-strata with bipolar dip directions. The trend and structure of the dunes record a drought that was initiated and sustained by a historically unprecedented shift of spring-summer atmospheric circulation over the Plains: Moist southerly flow was replaced by dry southwesterly flow.
Anticipatory Control of Wind Turbines With Data-Driven Predictive Models

The concept of anticipatory control applied to wind turbines is presented. Anticipatory control is based on the model predictive control (MPC) approach. Unlike the MPC method, noncontrollable variables (such as wind speed) are directly considered in the dynamic equations presented in the paper to predict response variables, e.g., rotor speed and turbine power output. To determine future states of the power drive with the dynamic equations, a time series model was built for wind speed. The time series model was fused with the dynamic equations to predict the response variables over a certain prediction horizon. Based on these predictions, an optimization model was solved to find the optimal control settings to improve the power output without incurring large rotor speed changes. As both the dynamic equations and time series model were built by data mining algorithms, no gradient information is available. A modified evolutionary strategy algorithm was used to solve a nonlinear constrained optimization problem. The proposed approach has been tested on the data collected from a 1.5 MW wind turbine.