cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic stress-strain response of high-energy ball milled aluminium powder compacts

Abstract Ball milling is a bulk powder manufacturing process used in the creation of dispersion strengthened and nanostructured materials. Fundamentally, these powders have not been dynamically characterized in a green state prior to hot consolidation. The understanding of high strain-rate compaction on void collapse and particle interaction for such systems can help the development of predictive models for impact events of porous metallic structures that may be employed as energy absorbers, reactive structures, and intermetallic materials. This study investigates high strain-rate impact of porous green compacts of as-received and high-energy ball milled (HEBM) aluminium powders characterized under dynamic compression using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) in a passive confinement configuration. The plastic deformation of the powder compacts and crush up were shown to be strain-rate insensitive within the strain rate range of 1000–2100 s−1 and as a result, were modelled adequately with a second order P-α model. The as-received aluminium and HEBM aluminium powders appear to have the same strain-hardening coefficient and strength index as solid aluminium after yielding. The respective stress-strain responses of green compacts follow the same trend but differ only in strength as result of porosity and pre-strain experienced prior to dynamic compression. The HEBM powder was found to be twice as strong as the untreated as-received aluminium powder.
A Damage-Based Approach to Determine the Dynamic Increase Factor for Concrete

The failure strength of cementitious materials is often observed to increase significantly under dynamic loading conditions. A physical mechanism believed to be a significant driver of this rate sensitivity is the cracking and fragmentation process in these brittle or quasi-brittle materials. While high-speed photography can be used to make in-situ observations of specimens under dynamic loading, this optical technique is incapable of identifying the onset of strain localization and major unstable crack growth within opaque materials. In this study, the non-destructive high-resolution 3D imaging capabilities of X-Ray micro-computed tomography are implemented to analyze the state of damage within concrete specimens subjected to controlled high strain-rate loading. A modified Kolsky compression bar coupled with a momentum trapping technique was used to achieve dynamic constant strain-rate deformation before rapid unloading at a predetermined stress level allowing recovery of specimens for internal damage analysis. Results from this novel experimental technique reveal that, for the two materials studied here, a total of 38% to 68% of the dynamic strength increase occurs after the onset of major crack propagation. This result indicates that the dynamic increase factor calculated using the dynamic peak failure strength in these materials may include significant contributions from the fragmentation process, which is not representative of the intrinsic material properties. In light of these experimental results, a new logistic regression-based method is proposed to obtain the dynamic damage initiation stress for high-strength concrete and a more accurate definition of the dynamic increase factor is proposed.
Who Are We? Queering the Final Girl in Alexandre Aja’s High Tension

Willoughby explores contemporary shifts in Carol J. Clover’s model of the Final Girl by examining a film of the New French Extremity that revises this horror trope. High Tension presents viewers with a protagonist who has repressed her homosexual desire and combines the characteristics of both the Final Girl and the killer. Like Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Aja’s film encourages audience identification with a character later revealed to be capable of terrifying acts. In this chapter, Willoughby argues that by placing the audience in a queer subject position, High Tension moves away from the slasher’s binary construction of sexuality in regards to the killer and the Final Girl and progressively asks the audience to identify—and perhaps even empathize—with a queer character.
tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) regulate post-transcriptional gene expression via AGO-dependent mechanism in IL-1β stimulated chondrocytes

Summary Objectives Recent studies have shown that tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) are novel regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression. However, the expression profiles and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in chondrocytes is unknown. Here, we determined tRFs expression profile and explored tRF-3003a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in IL-1β stimulated chondrocytes. Methods We used qPCR arrays to determine tRNAs and tRFs expression in age- and sex-matched primary human OA chondrocytes and TC28/I2 cells stimulated with IL-1β. Chondrocytes were transfected with tRNA-CysGCA overexpression plasmid or tRF-3003a mimic and 3′UTR luciferase reporter plasmids of mRNAs harboring predicted tRF target “seed sequence”. The AGO-RNA-induced silencing complex (AGO-RISC)-dependent repressive activity of tRF-3003a was determined by siRNA-mediated knockdown of AGO2. Results IL-1β increased the expression levels of specific tRNAs and of tRF-3003a, a type 3 tRF produced by the cleavage of tRNA-CysGCA. tRF-3003a “seed sequence” was identified in the 3′UTR of JAK3 mRNA and tRNA-CysGCA overexpression or transfection of a tRF-3003a mimic in chondrocytes downregulated JAK3 expression and significantly reduced the activity of the 3′UTR reporter. RIP assay showed enrichment of tRF-3003a into AGO2/RISC in IL-1β treated chondrocytes. The suppressive effect of tRF-3003a on JAK3 3′UTR reporter was abrogated with siRNA-mediated depletion of AGO2. Conclusions We demonstrate that under pathological conditions chondrocytes display perturbations in the expression profile of specific tRNAs and tRFs. Furthermore, a specific tRF namely tRF-3003a can post-transcriptionally regulate JAK3 expression via AGO/RISC formation in chondrocytes. Identification of this novel mechanism may be of value in the design of precision therapies for OA.
Rethinking the crisis in historicity: Precarity and postmodernism in French science fiction and film after May ’68:

This article re-examines the crisis in historicity, an aesthetic hallmark of postmodernism, in light of unemployment and economic precarity in France during the 1970s. Whereas influential critics l...
Sensors for Rate‐Adaptive Pacing: How they work, strengths and limitations

Chronotropic incompetence is the inability of the sinus node to increase heart rate commensurate with increased metabolic demand. Cardiac pacing alone may be insufficient to address exercise intolerance, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and other symptoms of chronotropic incompetence. Rate-responsive (adaptive) pacing employs sensors to detect physical or physiological indices and mimic the response of the normal sinus node. This review describes the development, strengths, and limitations of a variety of sensors that have been employed to address chronotropic incompetence. A mini-tutorial on programming rate-adaptive parameters is included along with emphasis that patients' lifestyles and underlying medical conditions require careful consideration. In addition, special sensor applications used to respond prophylactically to physiologic signals are detailed and an in-depth discussion of sensors as a potential aid in heart failure management is provided.
Decision-Making during Early Intervention Home Visits: From Minimal to Meaningful Parent Participation.

Family-early educator partnerships are foundational to early childhood and early childhood special education, and collaborative decision-making regarding child and family need is recognized as a cr...
Elastic local buckling of periodic sinusoidal corrugated composite panels subjected to in-plane shear

Abstract The critical local buckling instability of simply supported sinusoidal panels subjected to in-plane shear loading is investigated semi-analytically using the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Due to significant weight-strength saving and increased out-of-plane rigidity, these thin corrugated structural elements have gained wide recognition as an alternative to flat plate structural elements. To utilize these structures effectively in applications, such as civil infrastructure, aircraft wings, among many others, it is important to attain a comprehensive understanding of the failure mechanisms of these structures. Such corrugated panels are easily analyzed by modeling as an equivalent flat plate; however, this approximate method cannot capture the local buckling effect due to the complicated geometries of sinusoidal panels. Hence, a more precise solution is developed to accurately predict the local buckling behavior based on classical shell theory using a representative periodic structural element which encapsulates the periodic buckling nature of the panel in shear. Excellent correlation is observed with the results based on the numerical finite element analysis. Parametric studies are conducted to explore the effects of the thickness, aspect ratio, corrugated amplitude and material properties of the panel on buckling. The derived semi-analytical solution can accurately capture the local buckling behavior at any thickness, any aspect ratios, and high corrugated amplitudes within the range of thin-walled shells. The proposed semi-analytical solution can be confidently used to aid in efficient and accurate design analysis and optimization of corrugated panels.
Sodium channelopathies in neurodevelopmental disorders

The voltage-gated sodium channel α-subunit genes comprise a highly conserved gene family. Mutations of three of these genes, SCN1A, SCN2A and SCN8A, are responsible for a significant burden of neurological disease. Recent progress in identification and functional characterization of patient variants is generating new insights and novel approaches to therapy for these devastating disorders. Here we review the basic elements of sodium channel function that are used to characterize patient variants. We summarize a large body of work using global and conditional mouse mutants to characterize the in vivo roles of these channels. We provide an overview of the neurological disorders associated with mutations of the human genes and examples of the effects of patient mutations on channel function. Finally, we highlight therapeutic interventions that are emerging from new insights into mechanisms of sodium channelopathies.
Factor Structure of Teacher Rating Scales for Children

The movement toward the use of factor analytic techniques as a means of deriving a classification system for childhood behavior disorders has been accompanied by increased use of behavior rating sc...
Rationale and protocol for a cluster randomized, cross-over trial of recruitment methods of rural children in primary care clinics: A feasibility study of a pediatric weight control trial in the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network.

Abstract A significant percentage of clinical trials fail due to poor recruitment. Despite this, few studies exist to evaluate clinical trial recruitment strategies using a randomized approach in any population, and none exist to test recruitment strategies for trials involving children or rural populations. For clinical trials focused on weight control, evaluating retention and dose are extremely important, as poor retention can lead to biased samples and existing research shows that dose (i.e. contact hours) is directly related to patient outcome. Finally, adequacy of blinding of assessment teams is rarely reported in pediatric trials, and unblinded staff may be more likely to inadvertently bias findings. Therefore, in this feasibility trial we aim to use rigorous clinical trial methodology to assess the effectiveness of two different recruitment strategies, as well as test retention, dose, and blinding. Specifically, we describe the rationale, design, and planned implementation of a feasibility study of a rural pediatric obesity treatment trial that will be implemented in four medical clinics in four states affiliated with the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ECHO ISPCTN). The primary objective is to assess recruitment rate for consecutive recruitment (approaching recently seen eligible patients in consecutive order by date seen) compared to traditional recruitment (such as posters, flyers, tear-offs), as well as to assess retention, dose, and blinding. If successful, this trial will support the implementation of a large multi-state trial directed at addressing obesity in rural children and their families recruited from their primary care clinics. Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT ID NCT04142034 .
Self-reported household impacts of large-scale chemical contamination of the public water supply, Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

A January 2014 industrial accident contaminated the public water supply of approximately 300,000 homes in and near Charleston, West Virginia (USA) with low levels of a strongly-smelling substance consisting principally of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM). The ensuing state of emergency closed schools and businesses. Hundreds of people sought medical care for symptoms they related to the incident. We surveyed 498 households by telephone to assess the episode’s health and economic impact as well as public perception of risk communication by responsible officials. Thirty two percent of households (159/498) reported someone with illness believed to be related to the chemical spill, chiefly dermatological or gastrointestinal symptoms. Respondents experienced more frequent symptoms of psychological distress during and within 30 days of the emergency than 90 days later. Sixty-seven respondent households (13%) had someone miss work because of the crisis, missing a median of 3 days of work. Of 443 households reporting extra expenses due to the crisis, 46% spent less than $100, while 10% spent over $500 (estimated average about $206). More than 80% (401/485) households learned of the spill the same day it occurred. More than 2/3 of households complied fully with “do not use” orders that were issued; only 8% reported drinking water against advice. Household assessments of official communications varied by source, with local officials receiving an average “B” rating, whereas some federal and water company communication received a “D” grade. More than 90% of households obtained safe water from distribution centers or stores during the emergency. We conclude that the spill had major economic impact with substantial numbers of individuals reporting incident-related illnesses and psychological distress. Authorities were successful supplying emergency drinking water, but less so with risk communication.
A Case-Control Study of Nonrandom Distribution of Bleomycin-induced Chromatid Breaks in Lymphocytes of Lung Cancer Cases

We used a case-control study design to determine the association between bleomycin-induced chromatid breaks and the risk of lung cancer in general and by specific histopathological types. Lymphocytes from primary blood cultures of 78 controls and 75 cases with 4 histopathological types of lung cancer were treated with 0.03 unit/ml bleomycin for 5 h, and the frequency of induced chromatid breakage and the locations of the breaks were determined in Q-banded preparations. After adjustment for their length, the larger chromosomes had more breaks than the smaller chromosomes in both cases and controls. The cases had significantly more breaks on chromosomes 4 and 5 than the controls did, with odds ratios (ORs) of 4.9 [95% confidence limits (CL), 2.0, 11.7] and 3.9 (95% CL, 1.6, 9.3), respectively. When the lung cancers were classified by histopathological type, adenocarcinomas had significantly more breaks on chromosomes 4 and 5, with ORs of 3.0 (95% CL, 1.0, 8.7) and 3.5 (95% CL, 1.2, 10.7), respectively. For squamous cell carcinoma, the ORs were significantly elevated for breaks on chromosomes 2, 4, and 5 with ORs of 3.5 (95% CL, 1.0, 11.7), 10.2 (95% CL, 2.5, 41.9), and 7.9 (95% CL, 1.9, 32.8). For small cell carcinoma, breaks on chromosomes 2 and 4 showed significantly increased ORs of 33.2 (95% CL, 2.2, 513.3) and 20.4 (95% CL, 1.7, 250.1), respectively. However, no specific chromatid breaks were detected in cases with large cell carcinoma. When the frequency of chromatid breaks at specific regions was calculated, breaks at 4p14, 4q27, 4q31, 5q21-q22, 5q31, and 5q33 were significantly more common in lung cancer cases than in controls. Lung cancer risk had a dose-response relationship with breaks on chromosomes 4 and 5. Cigarette smoking had a strong interaction with breaks on chromosomes 2, 4, and 5. The findings suggest that the susceptibility of particular chromosome loci to mutagenic damage may be a risk factor for specific types of lung cancer.
A Wavelet-Based Nonparametric Estimator ofthe Variance Function

A new wavelet-based nonparametric estimator is introduced in an effort to approximate variance functions. The new estimator possesses some superior qualities that are illustrated through its actual performance in some simulations.
Parallel nearest neighbor calculations

We are just starting to parallelize the nearest neighbor portion of our free-Lagrange code. Our implementation of the nearest neighbor reconnection algorithm has not been parallelizable (i.e., we just flip one connection at a time). In this paper we consider what sort of nearest neighbor algorithms lend themselves to being parallelized. For example, the construction of the Voronoi mesh can be parallelized, but the construction of the Delaunay mesh (dual to the Voronoi mesh) cannot because of degenerate connections. We will show our most recent attempt to tessellate space with triangles or tetrahedrons with a new nearest neighbor construction algorithm called DAM (Dial-A-Mesh). This method has the characteristics of a parallel algorithm and produces a better tessellation of space than the Delaunay mesh. Parallel processing is becoming an everyday reality for us at Los Alamos. Our current production machines are Cray YMPs with 8 processors that can run independently or combined to work on one job. We are also exploring massive parallelism through the use of two 64K processor Connection Machines (CM2), where all the processors run in lock step mode. The effective application of 3-D computer models requires the use of parallel processing to achieve reasonable “turn around” times for our calculations.
A Statistical Illusion of Large-firm Conformity to Gibrat's Law

When mean growth rates decline across large size classes of firms, the differences can become too small to achieve statistical significance, creating an illusion of proportionate size-independent growth (Gibrat's law). Thus, a final confirmation of the law requires a lognormal size distribution with a secularly increasing variance (growing firm size inequality). An empirical test on the less-than-truckload trucking industry demonstrates the illusion. The growth rate mean and variance between the two largest classes are statistically indistinguishable, despite an actual decline in both. Their combined size distribution gives a poor fit to lognormal, however, so large-firm conformity to the law is rejected. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Memory structures for relational decay: A cognitive test of sequencing of de-escalating actions and stages.

On the basis of memory structure research, a series of four studies was conducted to determine whether individuals (1) could generate memory structures for de-escalating relationships, (2) agree on the rank ordering of expected actions, (3) distinguish between the typicality of and necessity for the behaviors in relationship decay, and (4) segment prototypical scenes of deteriorating relationships in a time-ordered linear sequence. A number of hypotheses and research questions regarding the generation and processing of expectations for relationship decay are discussed. Results reveal a prototypical mete-memory structure of deterioniting relationships containing 11 actions that could be understood in terms of four underlying factors with slight variations between the perceptions of typicality and necessity of various behaviors. Gender differences, the presence of inferences interspersed among behaviors, and the effect of previous relational histories are discussed in terms of memory structures. Implications for additional research and the development of a stage-appropriate, communication typology an forecast.
Slow and fast annual cycles of the Asian summer monsoon in the NCEP CFSv2

The climatological Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is decomposed into the slow and fast annual cycles (SAC and FAC). The FAC represents the abrupt onset and breaks phase-locked to the ASM seasonal progression. This study evaluates how well the NCEP Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) simulates the SAC and FAC over the Indian and East Asia monsoon regions (IMR and EAMR). The simulated SACs are in good agreement with observations in both regions. The FAC also represents the northward propagation in both observations and CFSv2. It is further demonstrated that the FAC is associated with a thermodynamic air–sea interaction. In particular, the different roles played by the wind-evaporation-SST (WES) feedback may account for the faster propagation in the IMR than the EAMR. However, compared with observations, the simulated FAC shows earlier monsoon onset and long-lasting stronger dry and wet phases in the IMR but delayed monsoon onset with weaker and less organized FAC in the EAMR. These reversed behaviors may originate from a warm (cold) SST bias in the IMR (EAMR) in boreal spring and enhanced by an overly sensitive surface evaporation to wind changes in the CFSv2. As a result, the warm spring SST bias in the IMR initiates a strong WES feedback and changes of solar insolation during boreal summer, which leads to a cold SST bias in early fall. On the other hand, the cold spring SST bias in the EAMR accounts for a weaker air–sea coupling, which in turn results in a warm SST bias after the withdrawal of the monsoon.
A 2D interface-enriched generalized FEM for EM analysis of composite materials

An interface-enriched generalized finite-element method (IGFEM) is proposed for efficient electromagnetic analysis of composite materials with complex internal structures. By enriching the solution space at material interfaces, the IGFEM, even without discretizations conforming to the geometries, achieves the same level of solution accuracy as the standard finite-element method (FEM) based on conformal meshes. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate its accuracy, h-refinement convergence rate, conditioning, and capability to simulate highly inhomogeneous materials.
Earth abundant and nontoxic absorber material for low cost, thin film solar cells

The fundamental development of Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin films by non-vacuum, liquid-based techniques have been investigated. CZTS is a quaternary semiconductor material consisting of earth abundant, low-toxicity materials. CZTS is a promising absorber layer material for thin film solar cells due to its optimal optical band gap of ∼1.5 eV and a large optical absorption coefficient of over 104 cm−1. CZTS polycrystalline thin films were prepared by a non-vacuum liquid-based coating method. Optical, structural and electronic characterization and analysis of the thin films were performed using the Hitachi S-4800 scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the Thermo Scientific DXR SmartRaman spectrometer, and the Cary 5000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Results were used to determine the CZTS stoichiometry, crystal structure, orientation and crystallite size, and energy band gap (Eg). Results show the formation of single phase stoichiometric kesterite CZTS.
Low flow-mediated constriction: prevalence, impact and physiological determinant

Summary Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a surrogate marker for endothelial function. In the FMD procedure, arterial response during cuff inflation is not taken into consideration yet studies have demonstrated vasoconstriction, vasodilation and no change in the brachial artery during cuff inflation. The term low flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) has been introduced to describe the vasoconstriction that occurs in some individuals during inflation of the cuff. The aims of this study were to examine (i) whether brachial artery response during cuff inflation differed in a population with varied coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor profiles, (ii) the impact of this response on the subsequent calculation of FMD and (iii) the role of arterial stiffness in this variable response. L-FMC, ‘traditional’ FMD and ‘modified’ FMD, which accounts for brachial artery response during cuff inflation, were studied in a total of 46 subjects varying in risk factor profiles for coronary artery disease. During cuff inflation, brachial artery responses varied widely from −5·6% (vasoconstriction) to 5·0% (vasodilation). When subjects were divided into healthy versus multiple risk factors (n = 34), L-FMC and FMD were not different between the groups but modified FMD was significantly different (P = 0·02). L-FMC was modestly but significantly associated with FMD (r = 0·41) and positively correlated with brachial artery pulse wave velocity (r = 0·30). Our results indicate that brachial artery responses to inflation of the cuff are very variable and are associated with arterial stiffness and that accounting for so-called L-FMC may provide a more comprehensive assessment of endothelial vasodilatory function.
The nanoscale integration of heterostructures in chemo- and bio-catalysis

Abstract During the past twenty years improvements in synthesis and characterization capabilities have made possible the designed molecular assembly of complex materials with spatially distinct, multifunctional features that are hierarchically structured. These materials are systems in their own right, with property variables that can built in or used in a dynamic mode. This offers a challenging, but very real opportunity to control chemo- and bio-processs systems. An example is given of the use of high-surface-area inorganic interfaces to control the catalytically driven bioprocesses of a biosystem of some complexity, followed by a selected overview of some recent strategies for the synthesis of multicompositional functional units and their use in controlling processes in chemo catalysis.
Growth of thin In0.53Ga0.47As layers by liquid phase epitaxy

Abstract The growth rate of thin ( 0.53 Ga 0.47 As layers by step-cooled liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) is reported. Growth from In-Ga-As melts at -600°C is shown to require growth times under one second to obtain layers less than 150 nm thick. In contrast adding the isoelectronic dopant aluminum to growth melt significantly reduces the observed growth rate, and layer thicknesses below 30 nm can be obtained for growth times on the order of one second. Aluminum isoelectronic doping is therefore considered an important method for obtaining thin layers of In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As by LPE.
Hepatotoxic effects of methotrexate

Hepatotoxicity of methotrexate (MTX) therapy was studied in 22 patients. During intensive MTX therapy, values for SGOT, SGPT, LDH and BSP were 140 μ, 315 μ, 753 μ and 13% with control values of 13.5 μ, 20.5 μ, 379 μ and 4%, respectively. During intermittent therapy these values were 50 μ, 110 μ, 544 μ and 10% with controls of 13 μ, 15 μ, 355 μ and 3%. Other liver function tests remained normal. After cessation of intermittent therapy, recovery occurred in one month. Liver biopsies revealed a chronic portal inflammatory reaction in 7/10. Methotrexate can be used in nonmalignant disorders provided that careful control of its toxic side effects is maintained.
Industrial and Agricultural Pollution Patterns

Industrial and agricultural pollution emissions are compared with levels of economic activity as countries move up the per capita income scale. Pollution emissions are found to be concentrated among the lower income countries. Industrial CH4 and both agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions display the highest degrees of concentration among poorer countries relative to their GDP shares. Agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions are more concentrated among the poorer countries than are industrial CH4 and N2O emissions. Little improvement in environmental quality will result from implementing costly emissions reductions in the industrial nations alone. Environmental policies must focus on lower- and middle-income countries. More attention must be devoted to reducing agricultural pollution emissions. Improving the economic activity–environmental tradeoff will require a global approach to reducing greenhouse gases.
The Potassium Requirement for Growth and Embryogenesis in Wild Carrot Suspension Cultures

A requirement for potassium for growth and forembryogenesis in suspension cultures of wild carrot (Daucus carota L.) was demonstrated. The concentration of K+ required for maximal growth (1 mM) was less than that required for maximal embryogenesis (20 mM). Neither Na+ nor NH4+ could replace K+. Ammonium ion enhanced embryogenesis when K+ was present at suboptimal levels greater than 1 mM. Nitrogen sources strongly influenced growth and embryogenesis, but the effects of nitrogen were separable from those of K+. Subline differences were noted. Subline CSC-29 produced nearly half the maximum embryo number in 1 mM K+ while CSC-31 produced no embryos at that K+ concentration. Growth of CSC-29 was slightly repressed by Na+, but no more than by similarconcentrations of K+. Growth of CSC-31 in 1 mM K+ was strongly repressed by Na+. Embryogenesis in CSC-29 was unaffected by Na+. In CSC-31, Na+ repressed embryogenesis at lower concentrations of K+.
Stability and Variability in Competitive Communities

Long-term variability in the abundance of populations depends on the sensitivity of species to environmental fluctuations and the amplification of environmental fluctuations by interactions among species. Although competitive interactions and species number may have diverse effects on variability measured at the individual species level, a combination of theoretical analyses shows that these factors have no effect on variability measured at the community level. Therefore, biodiversity may increase community stability by promoting diversity among species in their responses to environmental fluctuations, but increasing the number and strength of competitive interactions has little effect.
Comparison of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of genital herpes vaccine candidates herpes simplex virus 2 dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L in mice and guinea pigs

A replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 vaccine, dl5-29, which is deleted for two essential early genes, UL5 and UL29, is highly immunogenic and protective in mice and guinea pigs. In a prior study, a derivative of HSV-2 dl5-29 termed dl5-29-41L, which has an additional deletion in UL41 (that encodes the virion-host shut-off protein), was more immunogenic and protective against challenge with wild-type HSV-2 in mice when compared with dl5-29. To determine if deletion of UL41 improves the efficacy of dl5-29 in protecting guinea pigs from HSV-2, animals were immunized with dl5-29, dl5-29-41L, or PBS. The geometric mean neutralizing antibody titers from the dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L recipients were comparable (10(1.97) and 10(2.19), respectively, p=0.15). After intravaginal challenge with wild-type HSV-2, the dl5-29-41L and dl5-29 recipients shed similar titers of HSV-2 from the vagina. Mean acute disease severity scores, numbers of recurrences during 3 months after infection, and latent viral loads in sacral ganglia were similar for dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L (all p values >0.05). dl5-29 and dl5-29-41L completely protected mice from lethal challenge with HSV-2 and induced virus-specific CD8(+) T cells in the spleens of the animals. Thus, dl5-29 was as immunogenic and protective as dl5-29-41L under these conditions. dl5-29 was at least 250,000-fold less virulent than parental virus by intracranial inoculation in healthy mice, and caused no disease in SCID mice. Both dl5-29-41L and dl5-29 are equally effective and immunogenic in guinea pigs, and dl5-29 is very safe in immunocompromised animals.
Resonant Transfer and Excitation in Li-Like F Colliding with H 2

We have measured coincidences between x rays and projectiles that have captured one electron in ${\mathrm{F}}^{6+}$ + ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ collisions at projectile energies between 15 and 33 MeV. The cross sections for capture and simultaneous x-ray emission as a function of projectile energy show clear structures. Indications of an unexpectedly high population of high-$n$ states predominantly formed by resonant transfer and excitation (RTE) were found. Above the $\mathrm{KLn} (ng1)$ RTE resonance energies another maximum was observed.
Direct formation of the C5'-radical in the sugar-phosphate backbone of DNA by high-energy radiation.

Neutral sugar radicals formed in DNA sugar–phosphate backbone are well-established as precursors of biologically important damage such as DNA strand scission and cross-linking. In this work, we present electron spin resonance (ESR) evidence showing that the sugar radical at C5′ (C5′•) is one of the most abundant (ca. 30%) sugar radicals formed by γ- and Ar ion-beam irradiated hydrated DNA samples. Taking dimethyl phosphate as a model of sugar–phosphate backbone, ESR and theoretical (DFT) studies of γ-irradiated dimethyl phosphate were carried out. CH3OP(O2–)OCH2• is formed via deprotonation from the methyl group of directly ionized dimethyl phosphate at 77 K. The formation of CH3OP(O2–)OCH2• is independent of dimethyl phosphate concentration (neat or in aqueous solution) or pH. ESR spectra of C5′• found in DNA and of CH3OP(O2–)OCH2• do not show an observable β-phosphorus hyperfine coupling (HFC). Furthermore, C5′• found in DNA does not show a significant C4′-H β-proton HFC. Applying the DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d)...
Interarytenoid Muscle Botox Injection for Treatment of Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia With Vocal Tremor

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis Up to one-third of patients presenting with adductor spasmodic dysphonia will have an associated vocal tremor. These patients may not respond fully to treatment using thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle botulinum toxin (Botox) injection. Treatment failures are attributed to the involvement of multiple muscle groups in the tremor. This study evaluates the results of combined interarytenoid (IA) and TA muscle Botox injection in a group of 27 patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia and vocal tremor and in four patients with severe vocal tremor alone. Study Design Patient-satisfaction data were reviewed retrospectively. Pre- and postinjection acoustic data were collected prospectively. Methods Acoustic measures of fundamental frequency and cycle-by-cycle variability in frequency (jitter) and intensity (shimmer) were obtained from 15 patients' sustained vowel productions. Measures were collected after TA muscle injection, alone, and after combined TA and IA (TA + IA) muscle injections. In addition, two experienced voice clinicians blindly assessed tremor severity from recordings made for each patient in the two conditions. Patients were also queried regarding their satisfaction with the results of the injections and whether they desired to continue receiving TA + IA treatment. Results Significant improvement in all acoustic measures except for % jitter was observed after the TA + IA muscle injections. Listeners identified voice samples after TA + IA muscle injections as demonstrating less tremor in 73% of the paired comparisons. Sixty-seven percent of the patients with spasmodic dysphonia and vocal tremor wished to continue to receive IA muscle injections. Only one patient with severe vocal tremor wished to continue with injections. Conclusions The addition of an IA muscle Botox injection to the treatment of patients with a combination adductor spasmodic dysphonia and vocal tremor may improve voice outcomes.
Role of CBP/P300 in nuclear receptor signalling

The nuclear receptor superfamily includes receptors for steroids, retinoids, thyroid hormone and vitamin D, as well as many related proteins. An important feature of the action of the lipophilic hormones and vitamins is that the maintenance of homeostatic function requires both intrinsic positive and negative regulation. Here we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that identifies the CREB-binding protein (CBP) and its homologue P300 (refs 6,7) as cofactors mediating nuclear-receptor-activated gene transcription. The role of CBP/P300 in the transcriptional response to cyclic AMP, phorbol esters, serum, the lipophilic hormones and as the target of the E1A oncoprotein suggests they may serve as integrators of extracellular and intracellular signalling pathways.
Development of a novel observational measure for anxiety in young children: The Anxiety Dimensional Observation Scale.

Background Identifying anxiety disorders in preschool-age children represents an important clinical challenge. Observation is essential to clinical assessment and can help differentiate normative variation from clinically significant anxiety. Yet, most anxiety assessment methods for young children rely on parent-reports. The goal of this article is to present and preliminarily test the reliability and validity of a novel observational paradigm for assessing a range of fearful and anxious behaviors in young children, the Anxiety Dimensional Observation Schedule (Anx-DOS). Methods A diverse sample of 403 children, aged 3 to 6 years, and their mothers was studied. Reliability and validity in relation to parent reports (Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment) and known risk factors, including indicators of behavioral inhibition (latency to touch novel objects) and attention bias to threat (in the dot-probe task) were investigated. Results The Anx-DOS demonstrated good inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. Evidence for convergent validity was demonstrated relative to mother-reported separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobic avoidance, trauma symptoms, and past service use. Finally, fearfulness was associated with observed latency and attention bias toward threat. Conclusions Findings support the Anx-DOS as a method for capturing early manifestations of fearfulness and anxiety in young children. Multimethod assessments incorporating standardized methods for assessing discrete, observable manifestations of anxiety may be beneficial for early identification and clinical intervention efforts.
Obstetric ultrasound simulation

Obstetric ultrasound is becoming an increasingly important part of the practice of maternal-fetal medicine. Thus, it is important to develop rigorous and effective training curricula for obstetrics and gynecology residents and maternal-fetal medicine fellows. Traditionally, this training has come almost entirely from exposure to ultrasound in the clinical setting. However, with the increased complexity of modern ultrasound and advent of duty-hour restrictions, a purely clinical training model is no longer viable. With the advent of high-fidelity obstetric ultrasound simulators, a significant amount of training can occur in a non-clinical setting which allows learners to obtain significant skill prior to their first patient ultrasound encounter and obtain proficiency in a shorter period of time. In this manuscript we discuss the available obstetric ultrasound simulators and ways to construct a comprehensive ultrasound training curricula to meet the increasing demands of modern maternal-fetal medicine.
ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITY AND THERMODYNAMICS OF FRACTAL GROWTH PROCESSES

A statistical mechanical formalism is developed using the computer information concepts of algorithmic complexity and Kolmogorov universal probability. This formalism provides a thermodynamic description of microstates of a system. For an isolated classical system, the algorithmic complexity is equal to the thermodynamic entropy. This approach does not rely on probabilistic ensemble concepts and can be applied to non-ergodic systems. An H-function is developed from the Kolmogorov universal probability that satisfies the properties of an entropy function. Using this approach, the thermodynamics of irreversible growth processes far from equilibrium can be investigated. Entropy functions for fractal growth processes far from equilibrium are developed from the algorithmic complexity and are seen to be similar to Flory-type equilibrium functions. This development does not require energy minimization procedures associated with equilibrium arguments. Using this approach, constraints can be put on the types of me...
Informing Hydrometric Network Design for Statistical Seasonal Streamflow Forecasts

AbstractA hydrometric network design approach is developed for enhancing statistical seasonal streamflow forecasts. The approach employs gridded, model-simulated water balance variables as predictors in equations generated via principal components regression in order to identify locations for additional observations that most improve forecast skill. The approach is applied toward the expansion of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) network in 24 western U.S. basins using two forecasting scenarios: one that assumes the currently standard predictors of snow water equivalent and water year-to-date precipitation and one that considers soil moisture as an additional predictor variable. Resulting improvements are spatially and temporally analyzed, attributed to dominant predictor contributions, and evaluated in the context of operational NRCS forecasts, ensemble-based National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts, and historical as-issued NRCS/NWS coordinated forecasts. Find...
TAU-FUNCTIONS FOR ALGEBRAIC GEOMETRICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE GENERAL ZAKHAROV–SHABAT HIERARCHY

The totality of all Zakharov–Shabat equations (equations of zero curvature with rational dependence on a parameter) form a hierarchy — GZS. Starting from an element of the Grassmannian we obtain expressions for the tau-functions of the algebraic-geometrical solutions of GZS in terms of theta-functions.
Rilpivirine: A second-generation nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Purpose The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, dosage and administration, and place in therapy of rilpivirine are reviewed. Summary Rilpivirine is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) indicated for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents in adult patients not previously treated with antiretroviral therapy. Rilpivirine is primarily metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP)3A isoenzyme system. Therefore, providers should be cautious when administering drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of this pathway. Coadministration with CYP 3A inhibitors may lead to increased concentrations of rilpivirine, thereby increasing the risk of adverse effects. Coadministration with inducers of CYP3A isoenzymes or drugs that increase gastric pH may lead to decreased concentrations of rilpivirine, thus promoting virological failure or resistance to rilpivirine. Two Phase III, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trials compared rilpivirine with efavirenz in HIV-infected adults not previously treated with an antiretroviral. The investigators concluded that rilpivirine, when combined with two nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, was noninferior to efavirenz for reaching the endpoint of confirmed virological response (HIV-1 RNA level of Conclusion Rilpivirine is a viable NNRTI for HIV-infected patients who have not previously received antiretroviral therapy.
Effect of correlated visual and tactual feedback on auditory pattern learning at different age levels.

Abstract The role of correlated visual and tactual information for the learning of a set of six simple auditory patterns, eight notes long, was studied in 144 S s drawn from Grades I, IV and V, and IX of the public schools, as well as from a college population. The task proved too difficult at Grade I (chance-level performance on two measures of transfer to the auditory patterns alone, regardless of training condition); significant effects of condition appeared at Grade IX on one measure, with both visual and tactual training groups being superior to the auditory-alone control group on the other measure. For all groups combined tactual training was superior to both visual and auditory, this superiority emerging most clearly in the two oldest groups. These results indicate that the learning of auditory patterns of the type utilized is a fairly difficult task for children, and that they are not able until a later age to make effective use of correlated information in other modalities. Implications of the results for the problem of auditory pattern perception, and for the view of perceptual learning and development of Zaporozhets et al. are discussed.
Cloning and expression of the SalI restriction-modification genes of Streptomyces albus G

The Streptomyces albus G genes (salR and salM) for the class II restriction enzyme SalI (SalGI) and its cognate modification enzyme were cloned in Streptomyces lividans 66. Selection was initially for the salR gene. From a library of S. albus G DNA in the high copy number plasmid pIJ486 several clones of S. lividans were obtained that were resistant to phage ϕC31 unmodified at the many SalI sites in its DNA, but were sensitive to modified phages last propagated on a restriction-deficient, modification-proficient mutant of S. albus G. SalI activity was detected in cell-free extracts of the clones, though only at levels comparable with that in S. albus G. Five different recombinant plasmids were isolated, with inserts of 5.6, 5.7, 8.9, 10 and 18.9 kb that contained a common region of 4.5 kb. These plasmids could not be digested by SalI, although the vector has four recognition sites for this enzyme, indicating that the salM gene was also cloned and expressed. Subcloning experiments in S. lividans indicated the approximate location of salR and salM, and in Escherichia coli led to detectable expression of salM but not of salR. A variety of previously isolated S. albus G mutants affected in aspects of SalI-specific restriction and modification were complemented by the cloned DNA; they included a mutant temperature-sensitive for growth apparently because of a mutation in salM. Southern blotting showed that DNA homologous to the cloned sal genes was present in Xanthomonas and Rhodococcus strains, but not detectably in Herpetosiphon strains, all of which produce SalI isoschizomers.
Perceiving Emotion in the Buyer–Seller Interchange: The Moderated Impact on Performance

This research focuses on the salesperson’s ability to perceive emotions in the buyer–seller interaction. Drawing on the emotional ability literature, the authors develop hypotheses within a conceptual framework of salespeople’s ability to perceive the emotions of customers, and examine how this ability influences the relationships between selling behaviors and performance. Findings indicated that the ability to accurately appraise the emotions of others moderated the practice of adaptive selling and customer-oriented selling on performance. Further analyses revealed that while high perceiving ability has beneficial effects on selling, low perceiving ability not only limits the use of customer-oriented selling but also has a negative impact on sales performance. Both self-reported and supervisor-reported measures of selling performance were used, along with a performance-based measure of emotional perceiving ability. Implications are discussed along with directions for future research.