cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyglutamine Expansion Reduces the Association of TATA-binding Protein with DNA and Induces DNA Binding-independent Neurotoxicity

TATA-binding protein (TBP) is essential for eukaryotic gene transcription. Human TBP contains a polymorphic polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in its N terminus and a DNA-binding domain in its highly conserved C terminus. Expansion of the polyQ domain to >42 glutamines typically results in spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17), a neurodegenerative disorder that resembles Huntington disease. Our recent studies have demonstrated that polyQ expansion causes abnormal interaction of TBP with the general transcription factor TFIIB and induces neurodegeneration in transgenic SCA17 mice (Friedman, M. J., Shah, A. G., Fang, Z. H., Ward, E. G., Warren, S. T., Li, S., and Li, X. J. (2007) Nat. Neurosci. 10, 1519–1528). However, it remains unknown how polyQ expansion influences DNA binding by TBP. Here we report that polyQ expansion reduces in vitro binding of TBP to DNA and that mutant TBP fragments lacking an intact C-terminal DNA-binding domain are present in transgenic SCA17 mouse brains. polyQ-expanded TBP with a deletion spanning part of the DNA-binding domain does not bind DNA in vitro but forms nuclear aggregates and inhibits TATA-dependent transcription activity in cultured cells. When this TBP double mutant is expressed in transgenic mice, it forms nuclear inclusions in neurons and causes early death. These findings suggest that the polyQ tract affects the binding of TBP to promoter DNA and that polyQ-expanded TBP can induce neuronal toxicity independent of its interaction with DNA.
Crohn's disease: step up or top down therapy.

Abstract The concept of a ‘step-up’ or ‘top-down’ approach to the treatment of Crohn's disease has evolved from the impact of novel anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor) therapies that have been effective for patients who are refractory to other medical treatments. In addition, the potential to produce mucosal healing with anti-TNF treatments without the well-recognized systemic complications of glucocorticoid therapy has created debate as to whether earlier, more aggressive, therapies should be advocated. This controversy arises at a time when the concept of sequential therapy to induce and maintain remissions for Crohn's disease has begun to be accepted and precedes our ability to define the concept of disease modification or predict the natural history of Crohn's disease based upon clinical, pathological, molecular orgenetic criteria. Evidence for therapeutic efficacy in Crohn's disease is presented as a prologue to considerations necessary to determine the benefits and risks of early aggressive treatment versus sequential approaches based upon disease severity.
Can light signals travel faster than c in nontrivial vacua in flat space-time? Relativistic causality II

In this paper, we show that the Scharnhorst effect (vacuum with boundaries or a Casimir-type vacuum) cannot be used to generate signals showing measurable faster-than-c speeds. Furthermore, we aim to show that the Scharnhorst effect would violate special relativity, by allowing for a variable speed of light in a vacuum, unless one can specify a small invariant length scale. This invariant length scale would be agreed upon by all inertial observers. We hypothesize the approximate scale of the invariant length.
The state of implantable pain therapies in the United States: a nationwide survey of academic teaching programs.

UNLABELLED The purpose of this questionnaire survey was to provide an overview of anesthesiology pain fellowship programs in the United States with regard to implantation of spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and opioid infusion devices. Of the 95 programs solicited, 80% responded to questions pertaining to the prevalence of use and technical considerations of implantation. Of the responding programs, 87% report implanting SCS, and 84% report implanting neuraxial infusion pumps. All programs perform a stimulation or infusion trial before implantation, although the duration varied from a trial in the operating room at the time of implantation to 25 days. Of the programs, 83% implant cylindrical leads, and 17% implant flat leads via laminectomy for their nonrevision SCS implants. Morphine, bupivacaine, hydromorphone, and baclofen are the most commonly used drugs and are used in implanted pumps by >50% of respondents. The question of industry-sponsored pain fellow education in implantable techniques is addressed. IMPLICATIONS Of the pain teaching programs in the United States, 80% responded to a questionnaire eliciting information about the implantation of spinal cord-stimulating and opioid infusion devices. The range and diversity of responses imply a lack of agreement about implantation techniques, drugs, and protocols.
Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium (V) with 2-naphthohydroxamic acid

Abstract 2-Naphthohydroxamic acid in methanol gives an intense and stable red-orange color with vanadium (V), sensitive to 0.009 μg V/cm 2 , for log I 0 / I = 0.001 abs. unit at wavelength 450 mμ. The value for σ is ±0.006 a.u., equivalent to ±0.08 p.p.m. V. The colored complex obeys Beer's law over the range 1–10 p.p.m. vanadium. The absorbance (in 1-cm cell) at 10 p.p.m. was so great that no data were obtained at higher concentrations. Under the conditions of the reaction, the combining ratio of vanadium and 2-naphthohydroxamic acid appears to be 1 to 2. Optimum conditions for the use of 2-naphthohydroxamic acid as a spectrophotometric reagent for vanadium-(V) were established; the procedure was applied to the determination of vanadium in steels and non-ferrous alloys with good precision and accuracy.
JOB SATISFACTION OF SELECTED INSTITUTIONAL FOODSERVICE SUPERVISORS

The job satisfaction level of selected foodservice supervisors (n = 86) was assessed using the Job Satisfaction Survey, JSS (Spector 1985). The survey instrument contained three parts: the JSS, demographic questions, and job task statements. Relationships between job satisfaction and job characteristics, conditions of employment and demographic variables were determined. Subscales of the JSS with the highest scores were “nature of work” and “supervision.” Respondents were least satisfied with “promotion,”“pay,”“contingent rewards” and “operating procedures.” The mean score for the total JSS was 3.87, agree slightly, on a 6-point scale of 1 = disagree very much and 6 = agree very much. This finding would indicate respondents were somewhat satisfied with their jobs.
Finite element thermal stress solutions for thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The primary objective of this investigation is the quantitative determination of stress states in a model thermal barrier coating (TBC) as it cools in the air to 600 °C from an assumed stress-free state at 700 °C. The TBC under consideration represents a plasma-sprayed zirconia-yttria ceramic layer with a nickel-chromium-aluminum-yttrium bond coat on a cylindrical substrate made of nickel-based superalloy. To account for complex geometry and material properties, the versatile finite element method was used to model the TBC. The elastic model which is an outgrowth of a previously reported one is named TBCG. It contains 1316 nodal points and 2140 elements. An improved version known as TBCGEP is capable of representing the bond coat with an elastic-perfectly plastic material. Numerical results of stresses and strains were obtained from this model by using a generic code called MARC. Actual computations were performed on a CRAY-XMP supercomputer. Based on 15 lengthy computer solutions, quantitative determinations have been made of the influence of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the bond coat, Poisson's ratio of the bond coat, and Young's modulus of elasticity. Also presented in this paper are stress states in both the ceramic layer and the bond coat of an elastoplastic solution.
Tissue/planar cell polarity in vertebrates: new insights and new questions

This review focuses on the tissue/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway and its role in generating spatial patterns in vertebrates. Current evidence suggests that PCP integrates both global and local signals to orient diverse structures with respect to the body axes. Interestingly, the system acts on both subcellular structures, such as hair bundles in auditory and vestibular sensory neurons, and multicellular structures, such as hair follicles. Recent work has shown that intriguing connections exist between the PCP-based orienting system and left-right asymmetry, as well as between the oriented cell movements required for neural tube closure and tubulogenesis. Studies in mice, frogs and zebrafish have revealed that similarities, as well as differences, exist between PCP in Drosophila and vertebrates.
Spiral CT demonstration of hypervascularity in Crohn disease: “vascular jejunization of the ileum” or the “comb sign”

To report spiral CT imaging features of the vascular alterations observed in active, early, or recurrent Crohn disease of the small bowel and colon. Spiral CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis following oral and intravenous contrast were performed in two cases of active Crohn disease. Spiral CT features of hypervascularity involving the mesenteric vessels of affected segments of bowel include vascular dilatation, tortuosity, and conspicuous prominence and wide spacing of the vasa recta (the “comb” sign). This is attributed to the factors of increased flow and the fibrofatty proliferation in the mesentery and serosa of the affected bowel. Clinical application of these observations may enhance the diagnosis of Crohn disease presenting initially or as an acute recurrence in the differential diagnosis from other conditions.
Ruminant Toxicology Diagnostics

The most common sources of ruminant poisoning are feed and water. Diagnoses are based on history, clinical signs, lesions, laboratory examinations, and analytical chemistry. A complete history is necessary for developing the scheme of laboratory investigation and may be valuable in case of litigation. This article outlines the toxicology involved, as well as the procedures and analytic capability of the tests used for differential diagnosis in these cases.
An Ensemble Approach for Model Bias Prediction

Model validation is a process of determining the degree to which a model is an accurate representation of the real world from the perspective of the intended uses of the model. In reliability based design, the intended use of the model is to identify an optimal design with the minimum cost function while satisfying all reliability constraints. It is pivotal that computational models should be validated before conducting the reliability based design. This paper presents an ensemble approach for model bias prediction in order to correct predictions of computational models. The basic idea is to first characterize the model bias of computational models, then correct the model prediction by adding the characterized model bias. The ensemble approach is composed of two prediction mechanisms: 1) response surface of model bias, and 2) Copula modeling of a series of relationships between design variables and the model bias, between model prediction and the model bias. Advantages of both mechanisms are utilized with an accuracy based weighting approach. A vehicle design of front impact example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Pore structure analysis by water vapor adsorption. II. Analysis of five silica gels

Abstract Complete pore structure analyses were performed for five silica gels, applying the micropore analysis method and the “corrected modelless” method, developed by Brunauer and his coworkers, to water vapor adsorption-desorption isotherms. The same five silica gels were analyzed by the same methods, using nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The cumulative pore volume and pore surface results obeyed the criteria of correct analysis both for water vapor and nitrogen, and the results obtained by the two adsorbates were in good agreement. This was possible because the entire pore system was accessible to both adsorbates. The pore volume distribution curves, however, were different for the two adsorbates, though not very different. The differences indicate that the pore structure curves are not functions of the adsorbent alone but of both the adsorbent and adsorbate. Complete micropore analysis cannot be performed when the filling of a part of the micropores occurs simultaneously with capillary condensation in some of the larger pores. A method is offered for circumventing this difficulty.
Natural history of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common idiopathic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. The distinction between MS and other benign or fulminant inflammatory demyelinating disorders is based on quantitative, rather than qualitative, differences in chronicity and severity. Primary progressive MS may differ from relapsing-remitting MS in MRI lesion frequency, immunogenetic profile, responsiveness to immunosuppressive treatment, and histology. In 60% of patients, MS begins as a relapsing-remitting disease and evolves secondarily into a progressive neurological illness. Life expectancy is not substantially altered in patients with MS, particularly in the early years of the illness. The rate of suicide has been reported to be increased sevenfold in MS patients. Up to 40% of patients with attacks severe enough to render them nonambulatory may not recover. At 15 years from MS onset, 50% of patients are disabled to the point at which they at least require a cane to walk a half block. Early age at onset, female sex, relapsing-remitting course at onset, and perhaps optic neuritis or sensory symptoms at onset and relatively few attacks in the first two years are associated with a favorable course.
The fine structure of the hypertrophont of the parasitic apostome Synophrya (Ciliophora, Apostomatida)

Abstract The hypertrophont stage of the parasitic apostome ciliate Synophrya was studied by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. This invasive stage of the ciliate was found within the gill lamellae and gill raphes of the longspine swimming crab Portunus spinicarpus. The ciliates elicited a melanized host reaction that walled off the parasite from the host. Additionally the ciliate produced a cyst wall of ∼0.16-2.0 μm in thickness that further isolated the parasite. A mouth was not observed, as the internal stage of this ciliate takes in material via endocytosis across the entire surface. The outer surface was irregular, with folds, membrane pillows, and vesicles connected to the outer membrane. The hypertrophont had a sparce ciliature, with well developed kinetodesmal fibers connecting the kinetosomes. Within the cytoplasm the cell had numerous vacuoles, lipid droplets, and large plaquettes of material. The massive reticulate macronucleus had globular and elongated chromatin bodies, and was the most distinctive organelle within the cell.
Uptake of catecholamines in guinea pig lung: influence of cortisol and anaphylaxis.

Abstract Effects of cortisol and anaphylaxis on the uptake of catecholamines (CA) in the guinea pig lung have not been investigated previously. Sensitized and healthy animals were randomly killed, catheters were inserted into the pulmonary artery and vein, and the preparation was perfused with Tyrode. Half of the animals received 50 mg. of cortisol 2 hours before the procedure. H 3 -epinephrine (E) or norepinephrine (NE), 10 ng. per milliliter, was infused for 6 minutes. Infusion was started 15 seconds prior to challenge with ovalbumin or NaCl. Total -H 3 and NE(E)-H 3 were determined in the lung homogenates. Results showed (1) 6 to 14 per cent of circulating CA were retained by the lung. (2) In healthy animals cortisol inhibited NE uptake by 35 per cent and E uptake by 15 per cent. (3) Anaphylaxis increased NE and E accumulation by 10 and 19 per cent, respectively. (4) Regardless of experimental conditions approximately 40 per cent of NE and 30 per cent of E taken up were recovered unchanged. In conclusion: (1) There is significant uptake of CA in the lung. (2) One of the mechanisms of therapeutic effect of cortisol in asthma might be its inhibitory effect on CA uptake. (3) Increased CA accumulation during anaphylaxis could be beneficial by increasing the local concentration of amines, or detrimental by decreasing availability of CA, depending on the uptake site and cell type and degree of subsequent metabolism. (4) Cortisol and anaphylaxis per se appear not to change degradation of CA.
Estimating Allele Frequencies and Inbreeding Coefficients in K-Allele Models

Some of the methods of estimation of allele frequencies and inbreeding coefficients in a K-allele model are examined. A result that has long been assumed to be true is proved. That is, in the presence of inbreeding, the maximum likelihood estimators of the allele frequencies and of the inbreeding coefficient f do not in general equal their observed (or sample) values (except when K = 2). A least-squares way of looking at the estimation problem is presented, and simulations are used to compare the three types of estimators (sample, maximum likelihood, and least-squares) in a 3-allele model. Probability generating functions are used to derive exact expressions for the bias of the sample estimator of f in a 2-allele model for any sample size, and those biases are calculated for a number of situations. Finally, an approximately unbiased estimator of the inbreeding coefficient when an allele is rare or common is proposed, and its bias is compared with that of the sample estimator and with that of an estimator ...
SU-E-J-148: Fabrication of an Anatomically Realistic Dynamic Respiratory Phantom.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to design an anatomically correct respiratory phantom that allows for accurate dose measurement within thoracic structures that move in a realistic fashion allowing for a more accurate simulation of in vivo measurements. Methods: The basis for this phantom is The Dynamic Breathing Phantom (TBP), an Alderson Phantom by Radiology Support Devices (RSD). The phantom was disassembled, removing the proprietary pneumaticlung apparatus as well as the motor driven tumor mount. A CT of the phantom at rest in the exhale position was acquired with 0.25 cm slice thickness. Every sixteenth slice was printed out to scale. The lung cavity was segmented on the images. These were used to cut out 4.0 cm thick slabs of foamrubber matching the contour of the lung. These were assembled along with other thoracic structures manually imbedded in the foamrubber. The organs were then placed within the chest cavity of the phantom. A purpose‐built diaphragm chamber made of a rubber bladder was inserted under the lung material. The manufacturer‐provided air compressor system was re‐tasked to drive the diaphragm chamber. Results: The foamrubber used as lung material has comparable density to human lung (−800 HU). The phantom is capable of producing realistic respiratory motion. This phantom will easily accommodate a variety of dosimeters and can be adapted for a variety of tumor/critical structure shapes, sizes and locations. Conclusions: The creation of this versatile humanoid phantom opens the door for a multitude of experiments to investigate dose to organs within the chest cavity for different planning techniques, under different respiratory condition, while using a more anatomically correct experimental setup.
Motivational parameters in ethanol-induced state-dependent dissociation of avoidance learning

The effects of ethanol on the acquisition and retention performance of a one-way active avoidance response were examined in rats as a function of the intertrial time on the grid floor (TGF). During acquisition on Day 1, ethanol did not affect performance. However, animals having shorter TGF periods required significantly fewer trials to reach criterion performance than did animals having longer TGF periods. During the retraining session on Day 2, an overall state-dependent effect was observed, i.e., animals receiving the same drug on Days 1 and 2 required significantly fewer trials to reacquire criterion performance than animals receiving different drugs on Days 1 and 2. Furthermore, the nature of these state-dependent effects varied as a function of the duration of TGF. Animals receiving ethanol on Day 1 and saline on Day 2 required more trials to reach the criterion than their controls regardless of the TGF, while animals receiving saline on Day 1 and ethanol on Day 2 only required more trials than their controls at the longer TGF periods. These results imply that dissociation of learning in the ethanol-saline group and the saline-ethanol group may be differentially influenced by certain motivational factors.
A method for detecting nanogram amounts on proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels

Abstract A detection method for 1-ng quantity of protein is described. This method is based on reaction of polypeptides with 125I-labeled N-succinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (Bolton-Hunter reagent) and separation of individual polypeptides by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing dodecyl sulfate. Banding profiles, as determined by densitometric scanning of autoradiograms, are comparable to those determined by Coomassie blue staining, however, 1000 times less material is needed. After 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter reaction, samples can be electrophoresed directly without removal of excess 125I-labeled reagent. Prior to autoradiography, excess 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter reagent is removed by staining and destaining the gel. This allows a facile visualization of nanogram levels of proteins without the use of carrier molecules or loss of material due to various manipulations to remove excess iodination reagent.
Authorized Crib Cards Do Not Improve Exam Performance

We experimentally investigated the effect of authorized crib cards on undergraduates' multiple-choice exam performance for lower order and higher order questions and on anxiety levels in an upper division child and adolescent development course. Students (N = 54) in 2 sections could use crib cards during 2 of the 4 exams. Despite student expectations that crib cards would greatly improve performance and reduce anxiety, their use did not improve performance for either the higher order or lower order exam questions, nor did they reduce student anxiety. The failure of authorized crib cards to improve exam performance even for factual material suggests that instructors ought to weigh seriously the decision to allow such cards on exams.
Pyrimidine N‐oxides. Oxidation of 5‐nitroso‐2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine

The peroxytrifluoroacetic acid oxidation of 5-nitroso-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (1b) led to the formation of two products: 5-nitro-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine 1-N-oxide (2) and 5-nitro-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine 1-3-di-N-oxide (3). On the basis of previous experience 2 was the sole expected oxidation product. However, 3 represents a rather unexpected development in that di-N-oxides in the pyrimidine series are uncommon. The yields are good for both products and structures are assigned on the basis of elemental analysis, mass spectral data, and chemical reactions. The reaction sequence is also discussed.
Rules of the Game

Academic Duty. DONALD KENNEDY. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1997. viii, 310 pp., $29.95 or £19.95. ISBN 0-674-00222-9.
Hormone effects on hypothalamic neurons: analysing gene expression and neuromodulator action

Abstract The study of the mechanism of hormone action on the brain and behavior has progressed from characterizing steroid receptors and evaluating the uptake of labeled hormones by autoradiography to investigating the expression of specific genes and actions of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The regulation of lordosis behavior in the female rat serves as a prototype for such investigations. In our studies, the genomic actions of two hormones, estradiol and progesterone, are associated with the neuromodulatory role of two hypothalamic peptides, LHRH and prolactin, and the actions of serotonin and acetylcholine, among other neurotransmitters. Hormone implants, combined with lesion, electrical stimulation and electrophysiological studies, point to the ventromedial hypothalamus as a key site of estrogen and progestin action; and the timing of hormone action, as revealed by behavioral and ultrastructural analysis, points to a cascade of genomic activation and protein synthesis following estrogen application. Such studies provide the conceptual and methodological basis for investigating other steroid effects on neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, which may be involved in the response to stress and pain, as well as in the regulation of body temperature, food intake, water balance and aggression.
Single crystal lattice rotation during compression

Abstract I t is shown that lattice rotation during compression of a single crystal can be the reverse of that observed in tension rather than the slip-plane rotation predicted and observed by T aylor .
A focused approach to anemia.

If all the elements of the complete blood cell count are considered in clinical context, they can provide an invaluable guide to the possible causes of a patient's anemia and the tests needed for definitive diagnosis. Unnecessary tests not only add to the expense of treatment but may result in delayed diagnosis and inappropriate.treatment in some cases.
Assessment of Reliability and Load Factor Design Approach Against Fatigue Cracking in Flexible Pavements

A reliability-based approach for designing flexible pavements that resist bottom-up and top-down fatigue cracking is developed. The approach uses load factors applied to the nominal fatigue cracking values to obtain failure values in the field. The uncertainty in input parameters is modeled with Weibull and lognormal distribution of the damage index with different values of skewness and coefficient of variation. Field data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance database are used to model the uncertainty in prediction between the nominal (predicted) and actual field cracking. The probability density function of fatigue cracking is found to be asymmetrical; the skewness of the distribution changes with the level of damage. The nonlinear limit state performance function is used to determine the reliabilities and the load factors through Monte Carlo simulation. Differences between the failure values obtained from the standard Gaussian assumption and the simulation are observed. Design charts and load factor ...
Design and application of coaxial wigglers in free-electron lasers

The Naval Research Laboratory is investigating innovative magnetic wigglers to reduce beam energy requirements for millimeter wave FELs and to enhance the gain and efficiency. Recent work has focused on coaxial designs. The advantages of this are twofold. First, annular configurations are advantageous for propagating high current beams. The annular geometry permits use of the central structure to enhance the wiggler field, hence, allowing shorter wiggler periods. One such wiggler is referred to as the Coaxial Hybrid Iron (CHI) wiggler, and employs a solenoid enclosing periodic arrays of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic material arranged as an outer ring and an inner rod. A second wiggler uses both outer and inner bifilar helical current windings. Both wiggler designs result in substantial enhancements in the wiggler field experienced by the electron beam as compared with the fields in the absence of the central structure. A prototype CHI wiggler is discussed along with a 35 GHz amplifier experiment which is under construction. Preliminary performance calculations for a two helix wiggler system are discussed. This will include both orbit theory and a fully 3D nonlinear simulation of the interaction.
687 ELEVATED LEVELS OF PROTEASE INHIBITORS AND OF INHIBITOR PROTEASE COMPLEXES IN THE PLASMA OF NEWBORNS

We have previously demonstrated that the intestine of newborn animals absorbs increased amounts of intact proteases compared to that of weaned animals (AJP 247:G183, 1984). The absorbed proteases circulate in combination with α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) and α2-macroglobulin (α2-MG). In this study we measured α1-AT and α2-MG in the plasma of healthy three-day old newborns and adults using radial immunodiffusion. In addition, plasma α2-MG-protease complexes (α2-MG-PC) were analyzed before and after reduction with dithiothreitol using gradient (2.5-15%) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scanning densitometry. (This approach depends upon the resistance of α2-MG-PC to reduction.) The presence of reduced and nonreduced bands was confirmed by immunofixation.
Mechanical Behavior of Epoxy-Graphene Platelets Nanocomposites

Various aspects of the mechanical behavior of epoxy-based nanocomposites with graphene platelets (GPL) as additives are discussed in this article. The monotonic loading response indicates that at elevated temperatures, the elastic modulus and the yield stress are significantly improved in the composite as compared to neat epoxy. The activation energy for creep is smaller in neat epoxy, which indicates that the composite creeps less, especially at elevated temperatures and higher stresses. The composites also exhibit larger fracture toughness. When subjected to cyclic loading, fatigue crack growth rate is smaller in the composite relative to neat epoxy. This reduction is important by at least an order of magnitude at all stress intensity factor amplitudes. Optimal property improvements in the monotonic, cyclic, and fracture behaviors are obtained for very low filling fraction of approximately 0.1 wt. %. Similar differences in the mechanical behavior are observed when the composite is probed on the local scale by nanoindentation.
BDSM Disclosure and Stigma Management: Identifying Opportunities for Sex Education

While participation in the activities like bondage, domination, submission/sadism, masochism that fall under the umbrella term BDSM is widespread, stigma surrounding BDSM poses risks to practitioners who wish to disclose their interest. We examined risk factors involved with disclosure to posit how sex education might diffuse stigma and warn of risks. Semi-structured interviews asked 20 adults reporting an interest in BDSM about their disclosure experiences. Most respondents reported their BDSM interests starting before age 15, sometimes creating a phase of anxiety and shame in the absence of reassuring information. As adults, respondents often considered BDSM central to their sexuality, thus disclosure was integral to dating. Disclosure decisions in nondating situations were often complex considerations balancing desire for appropriateness with a desire for connection and honesty. Some respondents wondered whether their interests being found out would jeopardize their jobs. Experiences with stigma varied widely.
Accelerator boards, memory, power, coprocessor, and price in an automated audit trail and networked matching algorithm of needs

Abstract Matching the user's needs to the available supply of Accelerator Boards can be methodically time-consuming and difficult. If it is not done it may be short of satisfactory. This paper presents a method of matching user needs with the available variety of Accelerator Boards (AS). It describes a method of developing and using a Product Evaluation and Selection System (PESS). PESS ranks AS products according to how well they match user's needs.
Design and evaluation of CATPA: curation and alignment tool for protein analysis

We present a new application for experimental biologists, the Curation Alignment Tool for Protein Analysis (CATPA), that allows for the efficient and effective creation, storage, management, querying, and visualizing of experimentally curated protein families. Protein families in general include paralogs having diverged from a duplication and orthologs. There is more than two decades worth of biological information and more data emerging, but there has not yet been an effective means of dealing with this data. It is our contention that an information system could be created whose appearance was suitable to the visual nature-particularly through alignments-of the information while the underpinnings were formal and followed standard software engineering principles. Thus, biologists can interact with the system easily because the data is in the form that they are accustomed to, but they can be assured that there is a sound data model underneath. It is our hope that this will allow biologists to spend more time on the biological science and less time on the information science. In order to help evaluate the utility of this system, we have performed a formal quantitative and qualitative usability study. Usability evaluation of CATPA was performed to compare the performance of CATPA with a similar tool, and users were found to to significantly more efficient using CATPA for a number of different types of tasks.
Higgs boson masses in no-scale supergravity

Abstract We explore the Higgs sector of the minimal supersymmetric “no-scale” unified model with the inclusion of radiative corrections which modify the usual tree-level Higgs mass relations. In the process, we rederive the complete allowed parameter space of the model using the one-loop effective potential. Our results can be compared with previous, generic analyses, where restrictive assumptions regarding low-energy supersymmetry breaking and squark mixing terms have been made. We find that in this class of models the lightest Higgs boson is always the lightest CP -even mass eigenstate (h), with m h ⪆M w for a large portion of the allowed parameters space, and m h max ≈ 115 GeV an absolute upper bound. For low values of m 1 2 (e.g., m 1 2 ⪅ 150 GeV ), the heavier Higgses (A, H, H + ) lie mostly in the intermediate mass region ( M w −2 M z ), and become increasingly heavier and degenerated as m 1 2 grows. Depending on the sign of μ, we obtained an upper bound on m 1 2 which leads to absolute upper bounds on all Higgs masses. Finally, we discuss the relevant Higgs decay signatures at LEP and hadron colliders which may reveal their existence.
Texture transformations in Ag thin films

Abstract A thickness-dependent texture transformation during annealing of initially (1 1 1) fiber-textured face-centered-cubic metal thin films is phenomenologically well known: sufficiently thin films retain the (1 1 1) texture, while sufficiently thick films transform to a (1 0 0) fiber texture. This transformation has been explained based on minimization of strain and interface energies, but recent work calls into question the roles of both of these driving forces. A high-throughput experimental method for the study of this texture transformation has been developed and applied to thin silver films with and without Ti adhesion layers. More than 150 individual samples spanning a range of thicknesses and interface conditions were prepared in a single deposition run. The texture evolution of these samples was characterized using X-ray diffraction as a function of time and temperature during annealing. The transformation proceeds despite the fact that the stresses are too low according to the strain/interface energy model. For films with Ti adhesion layers, the transformation kinetics and extent of transformation depend on the film thickness in a surprising way with intermediate thickness films showing initially fast transformations and stable mixed textures, while thicker films show an incubation time but transform fully. The results are consistent with reduction in defect energy (e.g. dislocations or point defects) as the driving force for secondary grain growth in an environment in which only (1 0 0) recrystallization nuclei can form. The driving force increases with film thickness so the nonmonotonic variation in transformation rate implies that the density of (1 0 0) nuclei decreases with thickness.
Toxic weed seed contaminants in soybean processing

Soybeans are subject to potential contamination from toxic weed seeds during harvest, transportation and storage. The more common foreign seeds include those from jimsonweed, cocklebur, nightshade, cowcockle, corncockle, morning glory, castor, pokeweed, and crotalaria. This review addresses itself to the chemistry and toxic principles of these contaminants. Since jimsonweed seeds are probably the most toxic and most prevalent contaminant of soybeans, they are discussed in greatest detail. A gas liquid Chromatographic method for the determination of tropane alkaloids in jimsonweed seeds is described together with the results from analyses of 11 samples found in grain shipments. Results of a nationwide survey of jimsonweed seeds in soybean samples are also included. The fate of jimsonweed seed alkaloids during solvent extraction of contaminated soybeans and alkali Refining of crude oil was investigated. Extraction of a 50:50 mixture of soybeans and jimsonweed seeds with petroleum ether yielded meal and crude oil fractions; chemical analysis showed that virtually all the alkaloids remained in the meal. Alkali refining effectively removed atropine added to crude soybean oil.
Hybrid approach for the design of robust control systems

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the problem of robust controller design for stable finite dimensional linear time-invariant systems (stable FDLTIS) within the framework of model reference schemes. The proposed methodology applies to both continuous and discrete-time systems and employs two distinct design stages: (1) design of the feedforward controller and (2) design of the feedback filter. Algebraic and topological concepts are utilized to tackle several important design issues including stability, performance and robustness. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the power of the design method.
Is Lactation A Risk Factor of IUD- and Sterilization-related Uterine Perforation? - A Hypothesis

A recent article reported a high risk of IUD-related uterine perforation in lactating women in the U.S. This article prompted the authors to examine the large international datasets on IUDs and tubal sterilizations collected by Family Health International. The findings are somewhat suggestive of such a positive association in IUD users as well as in women undergoing laparoscopic or minilaparotomy sterilization. More definitive studies are urged.
vFair: latency-aware fair storage scheduling via per-IO cost-based differentiation

In virtualized data centers, multiple VMs are consolidated to access a shared storage system. Effective storage resource management, however, turns out to be challenging, as VM workloads exhibit various IO patterns and diverse loads. To multiplex the underlying hardware resources among VMs, providing fairness and isolation while maintaining high resource utilization becomes imperative for effective storage resource management. Existing schedulers such as Linux CFQ or SFQ can provide some fairness, but it has been observed that synchronous IO tends to lose fair shares significantly when competing with aggressive VMs. In this paper, we introduce vFair, a novel scheduling framework that achieves IO resource sharing fairness among VMs, regardless of their IO patterns and workloads. The design of vFair takes per-IO cost into consideration and strikes a balance between fairness and storage resource utilization. We have developed a Xen-based prototype of vFair and evaluated it with a wide range of storage workloads. Our results from both micro-benchmarks and real-world applications demonstrate the effectiveness of vFair, with significantly improved fairness and high resource utilization.
Predicting Job Insecurity via Moderating Influence of Individual Powerlessness

While job insecurity has been extensively studied since Greenhalgh and Rosenblatt called attention to it in 1984, this paper examined why some individuals respond to the antecedents of job insecurity with increased job insecurity while others do not. This research sought to assess whether a moderator variable, individual powerlessness, might offer explanatory information on why people experience job insecurity. Moderated multiple regression analysis on a sample of 276 managers using Caplan, Cobb, French, Van Harrison, and Pinneau's 1975 Job Insecurity scale and Ashford, Lee, and Bobko's 1989 Powerlessness scale, suggested that an individual's powerlessness moderates the effect of antecedents on measured job insecurity. An interaction was found for subjects scoring high on powerlessness and not for those scoring low as hypothesized.
Substituted Tetralins VI: Tentative Assignment of Absolute Stereochemistry of 1-Methyl-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-naphthoic Acid and N,N,1-Trimethyl-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-naphthylamine Isomers

Abstract The absolute configurations of the enantiomers of N,N, 1- trimethyl- cis - and trans -1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-naphthylamines (I a and I b ) were assigned tentatively from the circular dichroism spectrum of a bridged ketone derived by cyclization of optically active 1-methyl- cis -1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-naphthoic acid (II a ). Thus, (–)-II a and the corresponding amine, (–)I a , were assigned the (2 S , 4 R )-configuration. Epimerization of (–)-II a through its methyl ester yielded the trans -acid, (–)-II b , which established the absolute configuration of (–)-II b and the corresponding amine, (–)-I b , as (2 R, 4 R ).
A map of cytoplasmic RNA transcripts from lytic adenovirus type 2, determined by electron microscopy of RNA:DNA hybrids

Abstract We have used electron microscopic RNA loop mapping to determine, to within 200 nucleotides, the chromosome coordinates of the 5′ and 3′ ends of adenovirus type 2 transcripts isolated from the cytoplasm of productively infected human KB cells. The major blocks of transcription and many of the individual transcripts have discrete lengths and well defined 5′ and 3′ termini. Early cytoplasmic RNA is transcribed from four separate regions of the adenovirus genome, in map intervals 1.3–11.1, 62.4–67.9, 78.6–86.1 and 91.5–96.8. The most frequent late RNA loop occurred between coordinates 51.9 and 62.2. A late transcript complementary to interval 86.3–91.5 formed a characteristic R loop with a long branch of displaced RNA from coordinate 89.8–91.5, possibly a result of secondary structure near coordinate 89.8. Other late cytoplasmic RNA loops were located between coordinates 11.1 and 14.9, and in the intervals from 30–52 and 68–83. Transcripts from several regions of the chromosome had variable lengths but common 5′ or 3′ termini. Few R loops were seen between map coordinates 15 and 30. Switches between template strands were observed at map positions 11.2, 62.4 and 91.5. Many of the R loops have been correlated with gene products mapped previously by translation of RNA complementary to different portions of the chromosome.
Using Landsat 7 TM data acquired days after a flood event to delineate the maximum flood extent on a coastal floodplain

In response to Hurricane Floyd, the Tar River crested at a record height of 4.30 m above the flood stage at the river gauge station of Greenville (North Carolina, USA) on 21 September 1999. This resulted in a massive flooding in the area. To delineate the maximum flood extent, an area of 238.4 km2 along the Tar/Pamlico River, North Carolina, and within the overlapped area of Landsat 7 Thematic Mapper (TM) path 14/row 35 and path 15/row 35 scenes was studied. Three TM datasets of 28 July 1999 (path 15/row 35), 23 September 1999 (path 14/row 35) and 30 September 1999 (path 15/row 35) were analysed as pre-flood data, near peak data, and nine days after the peak data, respectively. The 23 and 30 September flood extent maps were derived by change detection and then verified by 85 nonflooded and flooded sites within the study area. The overall accuracies at the sites were between 82.5–99.3% on both inundation extent maps. Although the recorded river surface level fell 2.62 m from 23 to 30 September at the river...
Anger Assessment In Rural High School Students

Anger and aggression in school children are a major concern in American society today. Students with high anger levels and poor cognitive processing skills are at risk for poor relationships, under...
How cytokines co-occur across asthma patients

Asthmatic patients are currently classified as either severe or non-severe based primarily on their response to glucocorticoids. However, because this classification is based on a post-hoc assessment of treatment response, it does not inform the rational staging of disease or therapy. Recent studies in other diseases suggest that a classification which includes molecular information could lead to more accurate diagnoses and prediction of treatment response. We therefore measured cytokine values in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of the lower respiratory tract obtained from 83 asthma patients, and used bipartite network visualizations with associated quantitative measures to conduct an exploratory analysis of the co-occurrence of cytokines across patients. The analysis helped to identify three clusters of patients which had a complex but understandable interaction with three clusters of cytokines, leading to insights for a state-based classification of asthma patients. Furthermore, while the patient clusters were significantly different based on key pulmonary functions, they appeared to have no significant relationship to the current classification of asthma patients. These results suggest the need to define a molecular-based classification of asthma patients, which could improve the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Role of dopaminergic systems in tolerance to neuroleptic-induced inhibition of food consumption.

Abstract Male rats were trained to consume their daily ration of food in 2 hr of food availability. Benperidol, haloperidol and pimozide inhibited feeding elicited in this manner. Azaperone. chlorpromazine and phenoxybenzamine showed only weak activity. In addition, marked tolerance was observed to the action of only benperidol, haloperidol and pimozide in the rats pretreated chronically with haloperidol and tested 7–21 days after discontinuation of the chronic treatment. Involvement of dopaminergic systems in deprivation-elicited feeding is suggested.
Electrical fluctuations in silicon double injection devices

Abstract Studies of the electrical noise behavior of indium-doped silicon P+πN+ double injection devices are reported. The work refers to the double injection portion of the device characteristic at a temperature of 77°K. The noise studied is attributed to fluctuations in the rate of recombination of carriers via the indium centers. From fitting theoretical and experimental results, the carrier lifetime is found to be 2.5 × 10−7 sec and the capture cross-section of neutral indium centers for electrons is determined to be 1.8 × 10−16 cm2.
Multi-field FE modeling of resistive heating in a 6061-T6511 aluminum specimen

Electric current's effect on material mechanical properties has been of interest since it can lessen the mechanical energy associated with deforming/working a material. The objective of this work is to have a representative model of the thermal/structural effects of electricity on a tensile specimen so that the simple effect of temperature can be separated from any mechanical material property changes due to the electric current. The finite element models in this study were generated and their results were compared to experimental data obtained from a representative tensile test. Comparison with the experimental results on material engineering stress-strain curves and transient temperature profiles offers assurance for the further use of FEA as a significant tool in understanding the electrical effects on material properties. A multi-field large deformation finite element model for a cylindrical tensile bar of 6061-T6511 aluminum is developed to evaluate the distribution of temperature within the specimen. The model also evaluates the stress-strain characteristics of the material while the specimen is carrying a large DC current and being deformed. The simulation results are compared to surface infrared temperature measurements in order to verify the FE model first and then to attain more qualitative and possibly quantitative insight into the effects of electric field.Copyright © 2006 by ASME