cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of cellular actin in human parainfluenza virus type 3 genome transcription

The transcribing ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) requires cellular actin for transcription of viral genome in vitro (De, B. P., Lesoon, A., and Banerjee, A. K. (1991) J. Virol. 65, 3268-3275). In this communication, we have studied the interactions between different molecular forms of actin and the RNP of HPIV-3 to understand the role of actin in mRNA synthesis. We demonstrate that both polymeric and monomeric forms of actin (obtained by DNase I treatment) bind strongly to the RNP at 100 mM KCl concentration (polymerizing buffer). The binding was virtually abolished at zero KCl concentration (depolymerizing buffer). Isolation of the RNP-actin complex and subsequent use in a transcription reaction showed that the bound actin alone was sufficient for mRNA synthesis in vitro. Interestingly, the DNase I-arrested monomeric form of actin failed to activate mRNA synthesis, indicating a requirement of polymerization of the bound actin during HPIV-3 transcription. Electron microscopic analyses revealed that a drastic structural modification of the RNP occurred because of the polymerization of actin from a loosely coiled and irregular structure to a condensed and flexible structure. Activation of transcription was observed also with poly-L-glutamic acid, a highly acidic polypeptide. However, unlike cellular actin, poly-L glutamic acid was able to activate only 10% of the input RNP. These results suggest that cellular actin activates HPIV-3 transcription by polymerizing specifically on the RNP complex. This event results in an alteration of the RNP structure that enhances its suitability for efficient transcription. The acidic domain of actin may play an important role in this process.
Investigating the mode of action of natural phytotoxins

The potential use of natural phytotoxins (including allelochemicals) to develop novel tools for weed management is enhanced by the elucidation of their modes of action. This approach has not been emphasized by the agrochemical industry, although the possibility of discovering new target sites may be promising, since natural products tend to have modes of action different from synthetic herbicides. The approach of testing a compound on all known herbicide molecular target sites for commercial herbicides and other potent phytotoxins is feasible. However, this would preclude the discovery of new mechanisms of action. Discovering new target sites requires more challenging holistic approaches, initiated with physiological and biochemical studies that use whole plant assays. Studying basic plant responses to a compound may yield important clues to the specific physiological processes affected by the compounds and uncover novel mechanisms of action.
Literacy: Reading (Later Stages)

The later stages of reading are largely concerned with comprehension or the construction of meaning, which requires both conscious and unconscious cognitive activity. Keywords: text comprehension; aids and strategies; transactional reading instruction; text search; students with learning disabilities; adult literacy
Bone marrow stromal-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulates proliferation and survival of neuroblastoma cells in the bone marrow microenvironment

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3977 Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor of childhood and often metastasizes to the bone marrow and the bone. We have previously shown that in the bone marrow, human neuroblastoma cells can activate osteoclasts by stimulating the production of IL-6, a pleiotropic cytokine implicated in angiogenesis and bone metastasis, by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC). Here we have evaluated whether IL-6 could also have a paracrine effect on neuroblastoma cells. An analysis of the expression of IL-6 and its receptor (IL-6R) in neuroblastoma cell lines indicated an absence of expression of IL-6 in 4 out of 5 cell lines examined, but the presence of a functional IL-6 receptor complex including the ligand binding membranous gp80 (α-chain subunit) and the common signal transducing protein gp130 (β-chain subunit) in 4 cell lines (CHLA-255, CHLA-171, SMS-SAN and SK-N-BE2). Treatment of neuroblastoma cells expressing the receptor complex with recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) resulted in activation of STAT-3 and MAPK as demonstrated by a dose dependent (10-30 ng/ml) increase in STAT-3 phosphorylation at Tyr705 and P44/42 MAPK (Erk1/Erk2) phosphorylation within 15-30 minutes after stimulation. This effect was enhanced by the addition of soluble IL-6R and inhibited in the presence of a neutralizing antibody against IL-6R. rhIL-6 stimulated the proliferation of CHLA-255 neuroblastoma cells that expressed a functional receptor complex in a dose dependent manner (0.001-10 ng/ml), both in the presence or absence of serum but not the proliferation of NB19 neuroblastoma cells that did not express a functional receptor complex. This stimulatory effect on proliferation was inhibited by treatment with the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 (100 μM), indicating the involvement of MAPK in IL6-mediated proliferation. We observed that rhIL-6 protected CHLA-255 cells from VP-16 induced apoptosis. Further evidence for a role of IL-6 in neuroblastoma progression was obstained by documenting higher levels of IL-6 in the serum of children with neuroblastoma that had metastasized to the bone. The data indicate that the ability of neuroblastoma cells to stimulate the production of IL-6 by BM-MSC in the bone marrow microenvironment, in addition to activating osteoclasts and promoting bone formation of osteolytic lesions, provides them with a proliferative and survival advantage. Therefore blocking IL-6 may be a valuable approach in the treatment of neuroblastoma bone metastasis because of its dual effect on osteoclasts and tumor cells.
Perturbative approach to non-autonomous dynamics of a nonlinear spin-torque nano-oscillator

We propose a perturbative analytic approach to the description of non-autonomous dynamics of spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNO) which is based on using the autonomous (unperturbed) STNO dynamics obtained either analytically or numerically as a zero approximation. The role of a small parameter is played by the ratio of the energy of the STNO interaction with an external perturbation to the energy of the autonomous (unperturbed) STNO motion. The proposed approach is applied to a STNO based on a current-driven magnetic nano-pillar with two magnetic layers coupled by dipoledipole interaction and spin-torque.
In pursuit of optimal periorbital rejuvenation: laser resurfacing with or without blepharoplasty and brow lift.

Abstract Learning Objectives: The reader is presumed to have a broad understanding of plastic surgical procedures and concepts. After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Recognize the 11 major signs of periorbital aging. 2. Realize the benefits of laser techniques applied to periorbital rejuvenation surgery. Physicians may earn 1 hour of Category 1 CME credit by successfully completing the examination based on material covered in this article. The examination begins on page 333. Although blepharoplasty and coronal foreheadplasty have been the traditional methods for improving the periorbital region, in our opinion these techniques together can address only three of the 11 major signs of periorbital aging. We found no improvement with skin-muscle flap type blepharoplasty and coronal lift in the wrinkling and pigmentation changes in the infrabrow, crow’s-foot, lower lid, and malar regions, and no improvement in malar bags, “dark circles” under the eyes, or the apparent lengthening of the vertical height of the lower lid and its associated sharp transition between cheek and lid skin. CO2 laser resurfacing can improve these signs of periorbital aging and permits the laser transconjunctival approach if blepharoplasty is necessary, thus eliminating a visible lower lid incision. When brow ptosis is present, we prefer endoscopic brow lift to minimize dysesthesia and incision size. We evaluated 174 patients and contrasted the results of the traditional approach versus laser resurfacing with or without laser blepharoplasty and endoscopic brow lift. The mean time to evaluation was 9 months, ranging up to 2 ½ years. We found that the laser approach can address almost all of the 11 major signs of periorbital aging at one procedure. It is minimally invasive, technically simple and fast, offers lasting improvements, and yields high patient satisfaction and better results with fewer persistent problems than the traditional surgical approach.
Older Age as a Prognostic Factor of Attenuated Pain Recovery After Shoulder Arthroscopy

Abstract Background Shoulder pain and surgery are common among older adults. However, the extent to which older age affects recovery after shoulder surgery is not well understood. Objective To assess influence of older age on postoperative recovery factors 3 and 6 months after shoulder arthroscopy. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting University-affiliated outpatient orthopedic surgical center. Patients A convenience sample of 139 persons between 20 and 79 years of age who experienced shoulder pain, had musculoskeletal dysfunction based on imaging and physician assessment, and were scheduled for an arthroscopic shoulder procedure. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative outcomes were compared among younger, middle-aged, and older adults before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery using analysis of variance modeling. Movement-evoked pain and an experimental laboratory correlate of pain processing were assessed at each time point. The influence of older age on 3- and 6-month pain outcomes were determined via multivariate regression analyses after accounting for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative prognostic factors. Results Older adults had higher movement-evoked pain intensity (F 2,108 = 5.18, P = .007) and experimental pain response (F 2,111 = 7.24, P = .001) at 3 months compared with young and middle-aged adults. After controlling for key prognostic factors, older age remained a positive predictor of 3-month movement-evoked pain ( R 2 = 0.05; standardized [St.] β = 0.263, P = .031) and experimental pain response ( R 2 = 0.07; St. β = 0.295, P = .014). Further, older age remained a positive predictor of movement-evoked pain at 6 months ( R 2 = 0.04; St. β = 0.231, P = .004), despite no age group differences in outcome. Older age was found to be the strongest predictor of 3- and 6-month movement-evoked pain. Conclusion Older adults may experience more pain related to movement, as well as endogenous pain excitation, in the first few months after shoulder arthroscopy. Future age-related research should consider use of movement-evoked pain intensity and experimental pain response as pain outcomes, as well as the utility of such measures in clinical care.
Limits Of Thermodynamic Models for Nuclear Level Densities

The current status of thermodynamic models as applied to nuclear level densities is reviewed. Considerable refinement has taken place during the last fifteen years, with the result that some of the undesirable assumptions originally required by the model are no longer necessary. Some problems remain, however, particularly in calculating level densities for deformed nuclei. Furthermore, some related parameters, such as the positive-parity negative-parity ratio for levels and the spin cutoff parameter are more sensitive to the presence of two-body interactions than the total level density. Improvement in our characterization of nuclear level densities will require use of techniques which can incorporate the effects of two-body interactions in the level density calculation.
Is Technology Outmoding Traditional Firearms Regulation? 3-D Printing, State Security, and the Need for Regulatory Foresight in Gun Policy

This paper argues that while legal scholars are arguing over the impact that the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago will have on existing state and federal regulatory regimes, technological advancement is putting the entire firearms regulatory scheme at risk of irrelevance. 3-D printing technology may decentralize the manufacturing process for firearms, giving an individual the ability to download the CAD design for a weapon and “print” an unregistered, untraceable gun. Ownership restrictions, gun design restrictions, and state and federal records laws would be toothless in an era of tailor-made, non-commercial firearms production. Prospectively, it is imperative Congress begin to contemplate a firearms market that is highly decentralized, and unaffected by traditional regulatory models. Crafting regulation to deal with the threat of a proliferation of firearms that exist outside of the current regulatory structure is of paramount importance for safety and the perception of safety.
Surface Polysaccharide from Staphylococcus aureus M That Contains Taurine, d-Aminogalacturonic Acid, and d-Fucosamine

The surface polysaccharide antigen of Staphylococcus aureus M was isolated, and the component parts were identified. The antigen is composed of taurine, d-aminogalacturonic acid, and d-fucosamine. The capsule is chemically distinct from all previously reported staphylococcal capsules. Taurine and aminogalacturonic acid have not been reported previously in staphylococci.
Associations among IRS1, IRS2, IGF1, and IGFBP3 Genetic Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer

Introduction: Insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP) are involved in cell growth and proliferation and are thought to be important in the etiology of colorectal cancer. We hypothesize that genetic polymorphisms of insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 alter colorectal cancer risk because of their roles in the insulin-related signaling pathway. Methods: Data from a population-based incident case-control study of 1,346 colon cancer cases and 1,544 population-based controls and 952 rectal cancer cases and 1,205 controls were used to evaluate associations. Genetic polymorphisms of four genes were investigated: an IGF1 CA repeat, the IGFBP3 −202 A > C, the IRS1 G972R , and the IRS2 G1057D . Results: Having at least one R allele ( GR or RR ) for IRS1 G972R was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer [odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-1.9]. The IRS2 G972R heterozygote GD genotype significantly reduced risk of colon cancer (odds ratio 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9). Neither the IGF1 nor the IGFBP3 variants was associated independently with colon cancer, but there was an association when examined with IRS1 . Individuals with an IRS1 R allele and IGF1 non-192 allele were at a 2-fold increased risk of colon cancer (95% CI 1.2-4.4). There was a 70% (95% CI 1.02-2.8) increased risk of colon cancer with an IRS1 R allele and the IGFBP3 AC or CC genotype. The IRS2 GD genotype reduced risk of colon cancer, except among those with an IRS1 R allele. No significant associations were seen in analyses of main effects or interactions of these variants and rectal cancer risk. Conclusions: Both IRS1 and IRS2 variants were associated with colon cancer risk independently. Associations were slightly stronger when polymorphisms in multiple genes were evaluated in conjunction with other genes rather than individually. These data suggest that the insulin-related pathway may be important in the etiology of colon cancer but not rectal cancer.
Effects of zinc loss on the magnetic properties of plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrites

Abstract Energy dispersive X-ray analysis performed on plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrite (MZF) single `splats' shows a variation in zinc content within splats of different sizes after the spray process, even though the powder has the same starting stoichiometry. A simple model indicates that smaller particles have a higher zinc evaporation rate during the in-flight time. However, the significant decrease of zinc in smaller ferrite particles is mainly attributed to their large surface-to-volume ratio. Compositional differences due to a random cation distribution condition results in magnetic property variations among MZF splats. The coating inhomogeneity due to zinc loss increases the coercivity of the plasma-sprayed MnZn ferrites. The magnetic properties of the MnZn ferrites can be improved through long-range (diffusion) and short-range (ordering) cation redistribution upon low temperature annealing.
Proverb Comprehension in Youth: The Role of Concreteness and Familiarity

This study examined factors that were posited to play an important role in the development of proverb comprehension in school-age children and adolescents, namely, the concreteness and the familiar...
Raman and infrared spectra, normal coordinate calculations and vibrational assignment for 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanimine

Author Institution: Department of Chemistry, University of South Carolina; Department of Chemistry, Ford Motor Company
J-value analysis of different regulatory limits for workers and the public

Abstract The J -value technique allows an objective determination to be made of the resources that should be applied cost effectively to improve heath and safety. This is essential if capabilities are to be employed optimally and risks reduced in a way that reflects their severity. Although other considerations such as good practice and socio-political influences may affect a final decision on the resources to be sanctioned, the incorporation of these additional factors should be made transparent if the decision is no longer to be based on cost effectiveness. The J -value provides an objective criterion by which to judge when “reasonable practicability” has been achieved in committing resources for safety improvement, which is the legal requirement under health and safety law in the UK. Moreover, the J -value methodology also allows other related issues to be addressed objectively. Regulatory bodies apply different limits for workers and the general public, with higher risks being permitted for workers. Although a factor of about 10 has been used in several contexts, no objective rationale has been developed for this particular figure until now. However, it is shown that application of the J -value analysis can provide a justification for a ratio of workers’ risk to public risk of approximately this size if certain reasonable assumptions are made. Thus the paper provides the first quantitative explanation for the different levels of protection demanded by regulators nationally and internationally for workers and public.
Coordinated, Differential Expression of Two Genes through Directed mRNA Cleavage and Stabilization by Secondary Structures

Metabolic engineering and multisubunit protein production necessitate the expression of multiple genes at coordinated levels. In bacteria, genes for multisubunit proteins or metabolic pathways are often expressed in operons under the control of a single promoter; expression of the genes is coordinated by varying transcript stability and the rate of translation initiation. We have developed a system to place multiple genes under the control of a single promoter and produce proteins encoded in that novel operon in different ratios over a range of inducer concentrations. RNase E sites identified in the Rhodobacter capsulatus puf operon and Escherichia coli pap operon were separately placed between the coding regions of two reporter genes, and novel secondary structures were engineered into the 5' and 3' ends of the coding regions. The introduced RNase E site directed cleavage between the coding regions to produce two secondary transcripts, each containing a single coding region. The secondary transcripts were protected from exonuclease cleavage by engineered 3' secondary structures, and one of the secondary transcripts was protected from RNase E cleavage by secondary structures at the 5' end. The relative expression levels of two reporter genes could be varied up to fourfold, depending on inducer concentration, by controlling RNase cleavage of the primary and secondary transcripts. Coupled with the ability to vary translation initiation by changing the ribosome binding site, this technology should allow one to create new operons and coordinate, yet separately control, the expression levels of genes expressed in that operon.
Molecular mechanism of troponin-C function.

There is now a large body of evidence in support of the view that Ca2+ binding to the low affinity sites of TnC induces a movement of helices B and C away from helices A and D, thus opening a hydrophobic cavity, the site of interaction with TnI. Another site of similar structure is formed by the helical segments in the C-terminal domain. Both sites appear to interact with the inhibitory segment of TnI. Whereas the interactions at both sites are necessary for the full regulatory activity of TnC, the interaction at the C-terminal domain stabilizes the complex and that involving the N-terminal domain is directly linked to the release of inhibition. In the absence of Ca2+ the inhibitory region of TnI would preferentially bind to actin and on Ca2+ binding to sites I and II it would switch to the site in the N-terminal domain of TnC. Detachment of TnI from actin gives rise to further events in thin filament regulation.
Effects of morphine on brain-stimulation reward thresholds in young and aged rats

Abstract Mesolimbic opioid systems are altered with aging; however, the effects of these changes on the rewarding actions of opioids have not been examined. The present experiment assessed differences in the responsiveness of brain reward pathways in young and aged rats to the effects of morphine using the brain-stimulation reward (BSR) model. Aged (24 months) and young (5 months) male F344/BNF 1 rats were stereotaxically implanted with a bipolar stainless steel electrode into the lateral hypothalamic (LH) region of the medial forebrain bundle. Thresholds were determined using the rate-independent psychophysical method. Each animal was tested after the administration of saline or morphine at 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg doses. A significant difference in the mean baseline threshold between aged (99.8±6 μA) and young rats (149.1±14 μA) was observed. Although in both groups morphine lowered the BSR threshold, there were no significant differences between the groups except at the 10-mg/kg dose, the difference did approach significance. This study indicates that there are baseline differences in the rewarding threshold in the two groups, that morphine lowers the threshold in young and aged animals and that the hedonic effects produced by morphine, for the most, part remain preserved in aged animals.
Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams

A fresh look at this astute, likably quirky statesman, by the author of the Pulitzer Award-winning Founding Brothers and the National Book Award winning American Sphinx. "The most lovable and most laughable, the warmest and possibly the wisest of the founding fathers, John Adams knew himself as few men do and preserved his knowledge in a voluminous correspondence that still resonates. Ellis has used it with great skill and perception not only to bring us the man, warts and all, but more importantly to reveal his extraordinary insights into the problems confronting the founders that resonate today in the republic they created."-Edmund S. Morgan, Sterling Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University.
Where's the fire? Long-term neurologic outcome following cardiac arrest

We rush an immediate response team to the scene of a cardiac arrest, and then rush to an emergency room where more definitive care can be instituted. A complex infrastructure has been developed and immense resources have been devoted to these activities. At issue is survival, and if the patient survives, the quality of life that the patient will enjoy. The latter is frequently limited by the long-term neurologic outcome of the patient. There is an immense cost associated with these activities. Is this expense sensible? In a report in the current issue of Neurology ®, Mateen and colleagues1 address this important issue from the perspective of the long-term neurologic outcome following ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Based on their observations, the answer is: “Our efforts …
Development of selective attention: perceptual load influences early versus late attentional selection in children and adults.

The moderating effect of perceptual load on visual selective attention was examined in 2 studies. In Study 1, children and young adults searched displays of varying set size flanked by irrelevant distractors. Children's performance was as efficient as adults' under conditions of high but not low loads, suggesting that early selection engages rapidly maturing neural systems and late selection engages later-maturing systems. In Study 2, 4 age groups were tested, and place markers were set at empty locations to examine perceptual grouping effects. Study l's pattern was replicated in all age groups, with onset of early selection occurring at lower loads for younger children. Overall, children initiated early selection at lower loads to compensate for immature anterior-system interference control processes.
Validation of a clerical test using work samples

zWork simulation performance tests of filing and proofreading were the principal criteria in a validation study of a paper and pencil clerical selection test constructed by content-oriented methods; supervisory ratings were also used. Experiment 1 was a concurrent study using as subjects 59 provisional employees. Experiment 2 was a predictive study using as subjects 184 employees actually selected on the basis of test scores. In both studies, substantial correlations were found between scores on the selection test and performance on the work samples: Estimates of correlations in the original selection group ranged from .4 to .8. Correlations between the selection test and the supervisor ratings were significant in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2; even when significant, they were much lower than the correlations with the work samples. These results suggest the value of using work samples as criteria for validation studies. Implications for other validation efforts are considered.
Evolution of the empirical and theoretical foundations of eyewitness identification reform

Scientists in many disciplines have begun to raise questions about the evolution of research findings over time (Ioannidis in Epidemiology, 19, 640–648, 2008; Jennions & Moller in Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biological Sciences, 269, 43–48, 2002; Mullen, Muellerleile, & Bryan in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 1450–1462, 2001; Schooler in Nature, 470, 437, 2011), since many phenomena exhibit decline effects—reductions in the magnitudes of effect sizes as empirical evidence accumulates. The present article examines empirical and theoretical evolution in eyewitness identification research. For decades, the field has held that there are identification procedures that, if implemented by law enforcement, would increase eyewitness accuracy, either by reducing false identifications, with little or no change in correct identifications, or by increasing correct identifications, with little or no change in false identifications. Despite the durability of this no-cost view, it is unambiguously contradicted by data (Clark in Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7, 238–259, 2012a; Clark & Godfrey in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 16, 22–42, 2009; Clark, Moreland, & Rush, 2013; Palmer & Brewer in Law and Human Behavior, 36, 247–255, 2012), raising questions as to how the no-cost view became well-accepted and endured for so long. Our analyses suggest that (1) seminal studies produced, or were interpreted as having produced, the no-cost pattern of results; (2) a compelling theory was developed that appeared to account for the no-cost pattern; (3) empirical results changed over the years, and subsequent studies did not reliably replicate the no-cost pattern; and (4) the no-cost view survived despite the accumulation of contradictory empirical evidence. Theories of memory that were ruled out by early data now appear to be supported by data, and the theory developed to account for early data now appears to be incorrect.
The Rate of Osmotic Downshock Determines the Survival Probability of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channel Mutants

Mechanosensitive (MS) channels allow cells to sense and respond to environmental changes. In bacteria, these channels are believed to protect against an osmotic shock. The physiological function of these channels has been characterized primarily by a standardized assay, where aliquots of batch-cultured cells are rapidly pipetted into a hypotonic medium. Under this method, it has been inferred many types of MS channels (MscS homologs in Escherichia coli) demonstrate limited effectiveness against shock, typically rescuing less than 10% of the cells when expressed at native levels. We introduce a single-cell-based assay which allows us to control how fast the osmolarity changes, over time scales ranging from a fraction of a second to several minutes. We find that the protection provided by MS channels depends strongly on the rate of osmotic change, revealing that, under a slow enough osmotic drop, MscS homologs can lead to survival rates comparable to those found in wild-type strains. Further, after the osmotic downshift, we observe multiple death phenotypes, which are inconsistent with the prevailing paradigm of how cells lyse. Both of these findings require a reevaluation of our basic understanding of the physiology of MS channels.
Continuum processes involving atomic systems with configurations 1s2...2pq

The close-coupling approximation has been used to compute cross sections for a wide range of processes (electron impact, photodetachment and photoionization) involving atomic systems with incomplete outer 3p subshells. The processes have been chosen for their astrophysical interest. The purpose of the investigation is to provide a unified theoretical model for the wide variety of processes investigated and to compare the predictions of this close-coupling approach with previous theoretical approximations and experiment.
An approach to modeling the S–N behavior of bulk-metallic glasses

Abstract Probability and statistics analyses are increasingly being used for reliability and durability assessments for life predictions of advanced material systems. Fatigue-life predictions have historically been based on crack-growth approaches, which are almost exclusively empirically based. Consequently, they often do not adequately reflect long-term operating conditions, which are well beyond laboratory test conditions. These models usually fail to identify the sources of the randomness and the extent of their contributions to the total variability. Using a simple crack-growth model, the variability inherent in the stress vs. fatigue-life (S–N) response for bulk-metallic glasses (BMGs) can be related to some of the key random variables that are readily identified in the models. The identification and quantification of these variables are paramount for predicting fatigue lives and reaching some understanding of the fundamental damage growth mechanisms in BMGs. The effectiveness of the modeling is shown through the analyses of a set of S–N data for BMGs where the variability associated with the material chemistry and structure and specimen preparation is considered.
Abnormal breath testing in IBS: a meta-analysis.

Recent evidence suggests a role for enteric bacteria in the development of symptoms in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The concept was initially based on the common finding of an abnormal lactulose breath test to suggest the presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Despite successful antibiotic studies based on these findings, the premise of bacterial overgrowth was met with skepticism due to the perceived inaccuracies of breath testing in humans. In this study, we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies using breath testing in IBS subjects with comparison to healthy controls. A literature search was conducted to identify studies in which breath testing was conducted in subjects with IBS. Once abstract titles were identified, studies that examined breath testing in a case–control fashion were identified for paper review. After exclusion criteria were applied, the remaining papers were examined using meta-analysis, among which the prevalence of an abnormal breath test in IBS subjects was compared. Further analysis was conducted among studies with appropriate age- and sex-matched controls. Eleven studies met criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Although heterogeneity was identified among studies on the basis of substrate used, lactulose was the most common substrate. In pooling the 11 studies, breath testing was more often abnormal among IBS subjects than health controls (OR = 4.46, 95% CI = 1.69–11.80). This was further evident in more appropriately designed age- and sex-matched studies (OR = 9.64, 95% CI = 4.26–21.82). The overall sensitivity and specificity for breath testing in separating IBS from healthy controls was 43.6 and 83.6%. This study demonstrates that the breath test findings in IBS appear to be valid. While this meta-analysis does not suggest that the breath test findings imply SIBO, the abnormal fermentation timing and dynamics of the breath test findings support a role for abnormal intestinal bacterial distribution in IBS.
Vertical tectonism in oceanic fracture zones

Abstract Anomalous topographic highs are found along many large oceanic fracture zones, frequently in the form of transverse ridges elongated parallel to the fractures both within and outside of the transform zone. These crustal highs are one or more kilometers shallower than the adjacent “normal” crust of equivalent age. Their elevation is frequently higher than the axial zone of lithospheric accretion. Geophysical and petrological data from the Vema, St. Paul, Romanche (Atlantic Ocean), Owen (Indian Ocean), Alula (Gulf of Aden), and other fracture zones suggest that the anomalous transverse ridges are not the result of excess volcanism, but rather of tectonic uplift of upper mantle and crustal blocks. Factors which may determine vertical tectonism along fracture zones include: (1) horizontal thermal conduction across a fracture zone from a lithospheric accreting segment; (2) viscodynamic forces operating in a fracture zone close to its intersection with an accreting segment; and (3) compressional and tensional horizontal stresses operating along a fracture zone, and created by several causes, the major one being small changes in the direction of spreading. Among these various factors, compressional and tensional horizontal stresses are probably the main cause of vertical tectonism in fracture zones. During the vertical motion of upper mantle/crustal blocks, ultramafic rocks, due to their physical properties, are uplifted preferentially. One of the implications of fracture zone vertical tectonism is that the age/depth of the crust relationship may not apply in regions with large fracture zones. In one well-documented case, a transverse crustal block at the Romanche fracture zone subsided during the last 5 m.y. at an average rate more than one order of magnitude faster than crust of equivalent age.
Restoration of Herbaceous Woodland Plants: Persistence, Growth, and Reproductive Success of Local and Non-local Propagules

Restoring the forest herbaceous layer in remnant forests throughout the Midwestern United States (U.S.) is limited by the lack of seed and propagules for many plant species. As a result, restorationists often have limited material to work with and must seek out plant material at a regional rather than a local scale, without knowing whether regional provenances are ecologically appropriate. We conducted greenhouse and field experiments to examine persistence, growth, and reproduction of three herbaceous perennials (wild ginger, Virginia waterleaf, and James’ sedge) that could be used for restoration. The greenhouse experiment represented a common garden and was conducted to identify whether there were genetic differences in morphological characters between local plants and non-local transplants from commercial nurseries. The two-year field study was conducted to determine whether any genetic differences noted in the greenhouse persisted in a natural setting, and also to determine what planting density (two or five individuals in a 0.25 m2 plot) would be sufficient for the plants to establish. In the greenhouse, growth and reproductive measures for non-local plants were generally equal to or greater than those of local plants. However, we found the reverse for many traits, particularly related to reproduction, in the field during year two. In natural field conditions local plants had equal or greater vegetative growth and reproduction than non-local plants, although both had similar persistence. Further, similar persistence and growth in low- and high-density field plots suggested that a limited number of transplants would be adequate for successful establishment of non-local transplant stock.
Efficient resonantly pumped tape cast composite ceramic Er:YAG laser at 1645 nm

Laser operation of a composite ceramic Er:YAG rod is demonstrated at 1645 nm with a slope efficiency of 56.9% under resonant pumping at 1532.3 nm. This is believed to be the first reported composite ceramic Er:YAG laser and also the first reported use of a tape cast technique for producing laser ceramics.
Optimal use of the translation method and relaxations of variational problems

The translation method has been used with great success in bounding the effective moduli of composite materials. We consider here the analogous method for bounding the relaxations of variational problems. We optimize the bound over the set of all available translations. Our method is to cast this in the form of a minmax problem. Using techniques of nonsmooth analysis, we are able to identify the optimal translation bound, meanwhile proving the existence of at least one optimal combination rank-one convex quadratic and null-Lagrangian translation. The optimal translation bound proves to be a better general lower bound on relaxations of variational problems than is the polyconvexification in three dimensions. In two dimensions, we discuss the negative result that the optimal translation bound is exactly the polyconvexification. Several examples of optimal applications of translation bounds to non-convex nonlinear variational problems are given.
Protective effects of histones against drug-induced alterations of deoxyribonucleic acid in thymus chromatin.

Abstract When S -(1,2-dichlorovinyl)- l -cysteine is cleaved by a lyase in vitro , a very reactive alkylating fragment (AF) is produced which can combine with a variety of acceptors, including DNA. Using 35 S as tracer of AF, it was shown that histone, added as such, and particularly in the form of bovine thymus chromatin reacted with AF and greatly decreased the extent to which AF combined with DNA. In contrast to DNA treated directly with AF, DNA which was isolated from AF-treated chromatin retained most of its primer activity for DNA and RNA polymerases and its susceptibility to hydrolysis by pancreatic DNase I. These results illustrate the role which histones and perhaps other nuclear proteins may have in protecting DNA against interaction with various toxic agents. They may also have a bearing on the susceptibility of various cells, tissues and species to the effects of proximate carcinogens and other proximate toxicants formed by metabolic reactions of toxic or therapeutic agents in vivo .
Male perpetration of teen dating violence: associations with neighborhood violence involvement, gender attitudes, and perceived peer and neighborhood norms.

This study aims to examine the link between male perpetration of teen dating violence (TDV) and neighborhood violence, as well as associations with gender attitudes and perceived peer and neighborhood norms related to violence among a sample of urban adolescent boys. Participants of this cross-sectional study (N = 275) were between the ages of 14 and 20 years and recruited from urban community health centers. Crude and adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to examine TDV perpetration in relation to (a) neighborhood violence involvement, (b) perceptions of peer violence, (c) perceptions of neighborhood violence, and (d) gender attitudes. Slightly more than one in four (28%) boys reported at least one form of TDV perpetration; among boys who have ever had sex, almost half (45%) reported at least one form of TDV perpetration. In logistic and linear regression models adjusted for demographics, boys who reported TDV perpetration were more likely to report involvement in neighborhood violence (odds ratio (OR) = 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7–5.5), beliefs that their friends have perpetrated TDV (OR = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.4–5.1), perceptions of violent activity within their neighborhood (OR = 3.0; 95%CI = 1.4–6.3), and greater support of traditional gender norms (β = 3.2, p = 0.002). The findings suggest that efforts are needed to address boys’ behaviors related to the perpetration of multiple forms of violence and require explicit efforts to reduce perceived norms of violence perpetration as well as problematic gender attitudes (e.g., increasing support for gender equity) across boys’ life contexts.
Comparative Cost Analysis of Hybrid Striped Bass Fingerling Production in Ponds and Tanks

Abstract Year-round production of hybrid striped bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) fingerlings would allow food fish growers to sell their product throughout the year, which would improve the consistency of market supply and cash flow for the farm. However, pond production of fingerlings is seasonal and precludes year-round supply. Tank culture methods have been developed to produce hybrid striped bass fingerlings indoors throughout the year, but the associated costs have not been estimated or compared with pond production costs. Economic engineering techniques were used to estimate production costs for phase I hybrid striped bass fingerlings in ponds (0.4, 1.2, or 2.4 ha) and tanks (945, 2,457, or 5,670 L) for production scales of 50,000, 100,000, 250,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, or 2,000,000 fingerlings per year. The results demonstrated that there are economies of scale in terms of the volume of production and the size of the production unit. Overall, pond production...
Adverse childhood experiences and dental health in children and adolescents.

Objective This study seeks to explore the how specific toxic stressors, specifically adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and their frequencies may be associated with tooth condition and the presence of caries. Methods Data from the 2011–12 National Survey for Child Health (NSCH), a nationally representative survey of child health, were used in this study. Pediatric dental health was measured using parent report of two characteristics: condition of teeth and having a toothache, decayed teeth, and/or unfilled cavities in the past 12 months. ACEs were measured by asking about a child's exposure to the divorce of a parent, parental incarceration, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and financial hardship. Analyses were adjusted by sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access and utilization, and comorbid chronic conditions. Results The presence of even one ACE in a child's life increased the likelihood of having poor dental health. Additionally, having multiple ACEs had a cumulative negative effect on the condition of their teeth and the presence of dental caries (Odds Ratios 1.61–2.55). Adjusted models show that racial and socioeconomic factors still play a significant role in dental health. Conclusions In addition to the known disparities in dental caries, this study demonstrates that there is significant association between childhood psychosocial issues and dental health. Preventive dental care should be considered incorporating the screening of multiple biological stressors, including ACEs, in routine dental visits as a means of identifying and reducing dental health inequities.
The effects of mammalian prolactin and growth hormone on goldfish (Carassius auratus) growth, plasma amino acid levels and liver amino acid uptake.

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of ovine prolactin (oPRL) and bovine growth hormone (bGH) on goldfish (Carassius auratus) growth and amino acid metabolism were examined. 2. 2. Linear growth was accelerated by bGH treatment; oPRL had a suggestive, but not significant, effect. 3. 3. Plasma amino acid levels were consistently lower in fish treated with oPRL and maintained at temperatures between 15–20°C. In only one of three experiments were plasma amino acid levels lowered by bGH administration. 4. 4. In vitro incorporation of [14C]glycine into liver protein was accelerated by oPRL. but not bGH.
A Statistical Approach to Station Discontinuance

The sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) is developed and applied to the station discontinuance problem. The decision whether to discontinue a station is dependent upon statistical considerations that include the error probabilities of accepting a model when it is incorrect as well as rejecting it when it is correct. Both error probabilities can be explicitly set by using the SPRT approach so that the decision rules are: accept model 1, accept model 2, continue to sample (cannot accept either). The error probability levels are a decision variable that depends upon the use of the data and the cost of collection. Procedures are developed for determining the expected benefits from sampling one additional time within the SPRT framework. The SPRT approach was applied to the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a popular therapeutic approach that has been applied to a variety of problems. The goal of this review was to provide a comprehensive survey of meta-analyses examining the efficacy of CBT. We identified 269 meta-analytic studies and reviewed of those a representative sample of 106 meta-analyses examining CBT for the following problems: substance use disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, depression and dysthymia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger and aggression, criminal behaviors, general stress, distress due to general medical conditions, chronic pain and fatigue, distress related to pregnancy complications and female hormonal conditions. Additional meta-analytic reviews examined the efficacy of CBT for various problems in children and elderly adults. The strongest support exists for CBT of anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress. Eleven studies compared response rates between CBT and other treatments or control conditions. CBT showed higher response rates than the comparison conditions in seven of these reviews and only one review reported that CBT had lower response rates than comparison treatments. In general, the evidence-base of CBT is very strong. However, additional research is needed to examine the efficacy of CBT for randomized-controlled studies. Moreover, except for children and elderly populations, no meta-analytic studies of CBT have been reported on specific subgroups, such as ethnic minorities and low income samples.