cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identical Viral Genetic Sequence Found in Black Flies ( Simulium bivittatum ) and the Equine Index Case of the 2006 U.S. Vesicular Stomatitis Outbreak.

In 2006, vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) caused outbreaks in Wyoming (WY) horses and cattle after overwintering in 2004 and 2005. Within two weeks of the outbreak onset, 12,203 biting flies and 194 grasshoppers were collected near three equine-positive premises in Natrona County, WY. Insects were identified to the species level and tested by RT-qPCR for VSNJV polymerase (L) and phosphoprotein (P) gene RNA. Collected dipterans known to be competent for VSV transmission included Simulium black flies and Culicoides biting midges. VSNJV L and P RNA was detected in two pools of female Simulium bivittatum and subjected to partial genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis based on the hypervariable region of the P gene from black flies showed 100% identity to the isolate obtained from the index horse case on the same premises. This is the first report of VSNJV in S. bivittatum in WY and the first field evidence of possible VSV maintenance in black fly populations during an outbreak.
Character strengths intervention for nurturing well-being among Pakistan's university students: A mixed-method study.

A strengths intervention, The Good Life, was developed for this study to augment Pakistani university students' PERMA-oriented well-being. The intervention strategy focused on all 24 strengths, observing strengths in others, and developing the lesser strengths based on the dominant ones. Intervention best practices from positive, vocational, and educational psychology were also implemented to support greater learning capabilities among participants. Additionally, fidelity to training was observed to ensure intervention integrity. In this three-wave longitudinal study, participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 91) and a wait-list/no-treatment control group (n = 91). Quantitative results revealed that the experimental group reported greater well-being than the control group immediately after the intervention and 6 months later. Qualitative findings shed light on the character strengths demonstrated by the experimental group to build each PERMA dimension during Time 2 and Time 3. Findings also provided insights into how the experimental group experienced well-being during Time 2 and Time 3. Together, the quantitative and qualitative findings provide encouraging evidence regarding the long-term efficacy of the intervention in Pakistan's collective society. Implications for offering future strengths interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for improving the Good Life intervention are also discussed.
Goldilocks Principle: Preference for Change in Breast Size in Breast Cancer Reconstruction Patients

Patients' preferences regarding changing or maintaining their breast size after mastectomy and reconstruction are important but understudied determinants of post-surgical satisfaction and quality of life. The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with preferences for changing or maintaining breast size for women undergoing breast reconstruction at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States from 2011 to 2014. The average age of participants was 45.7 ± 9.1 years. At baseline, mean average breast volumes were 755.7 ± 328.4 mL for all women (n = 48), 492.3 mL ± 209.3 for 13 women who preferred to be "bigger than now," 799.2 mL ± 320.9 for 25 women who preferred to remain "about the same," and 989.3 mL ± 253.1 for 10 women who preferred "smaller than now." Among the 23 women who preferred to change their breast size, 19 desired to shift toward the mean. Women with the smallest and largest 20% of baseline breast size were more likely to desire a change toward the mean (p = 0.006). Multinomial logistic regression models found average breast volume and satisfaction with breast size to be the most important factors associated with preferences for changing or maintaining breast size for women undergoing breast reconstruction. This study provides preliminary evidence for a "Goldilocks principle" in women's preferences for breast size change in the context of breast reconstruction, and identifies hypotheses for future studies of the associations among preference for change in breast size, preference achievement, and post-reconstruction body image.
The Rectus Femoris Muscle Flap

The RF is a type I Mathes–Nahai muscle flap, with its blood supply derived from the profunda femoris. The rectus femoris is one of the four muscles of the anterior thigh and is a powerful hip flexor and knee extensor, contributing significantly in balanced ambulation. Harvest of the RF can have up to 20% reduction in knee extension strength.
Cycles de la nature, cycles de l’histoire: de la découverte des météores à la fin de l’âge d’or edited by Estelle Bertrand and Rita Compatangelo-­Soussignan

This volume of essays represents the fruit of an ambitious project driven by two working groups (Societes, milieux, climats and Normes et representations du pouvoir) of the Centre de Recherche en Archeologie, Archeosciences, Histoire at Le Mans Universite. Reviewed by: Courtney Roby, Published Online (2021-08-31)Copyright © 2021 by Courtney RobyThis open access publication is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND) Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/aestimatio/article/view/37722/28725 Corresponding Author: Courtney Roby,Cornell UniversityE-Mail: croby@cornell.edu
Inert blanketing of a hydride bed using typical grade protium

This paper describes the impact of 500 ppm (0.05%) impurities in protium on the absorption rate of a 9.66 kg LaNi{sub 4.25}Al{sub 0.75} (LANA0.75) metal hydride bed. The presence of 500 ppm or less inerts (i.e. non-hydrogen isotopes) can significantly impact hydrogen bed absorption rates. The impact on reducing absorption rates is significantly greater than predicted assuming uniform temperature, pressure, and compositions throughout the bed. Possible explanations are discussed. One possibility considered was the feed gas contained impurity levels higher than 500 ppm. It was shown that a level of 5000 ppm of inerts would have been necessary to fit the experimental result so this possibility wa dismissed. Another possibility is that the impurities in the protium supply reacted with the hydride material and partially poisoned the hydride. If the hydride were poisoned with CO or another impurity, the removal of the over-pressure gas in the bed would not be expected to allow the hydride loading of the bed to continue as the experimental results showed, so this possibility was also dismissed. The last possibility questions the validity of the calculations. It is assumed in all the calculations that the gas phase composition, temperature, and pressure are uniform throughout themore » bed. These assumptions are less valid for large beds where there can be large temperature, pressure, and composition gradients throughout the bed. Eventually the impact of 0.05% inerts in protium on bed absorption rate is shown and explained in terms of an increase in inert partial pressure as the bed was loaded.« less
Atmospheric deposition effects on the chemistry of a stream in Northeastern Georgia

The quantity and quality of precipitation and streamwater were measured from August 1985 through September 1986 in the Brier Creek watershed, a 440-ha drainage in the Southern Blue Ridge Province of northeastern Georgia, to determine stream sensitivity to acidic deposition. Precipitation samples collected at 2 sites had a volume-weighted average pH of 4.40 whereas stream samples collected near the mouth of Brier Creek had a discharge-weighted average pH of 6.70. Computed solute fluxes through the watershed and observed changes in streamwater chemistry during storm flow suggest that cation exchange, mineral weathering, SO42− adsorption by the soil, and groundwater discharge to the stream are probable factors affecting neutralization of precipitation acidity. Net solute fluxes for the watershed indicate that, of the precipitation input, > 99% of the H+, 93% of the NH4+ and NO3−, and 77% of the SO42− were retained. Sources within the watershed yielded base cations, Cl−, and HCO3− and accounted for 84, 47, and 100% of the net transport, respectively. Although streamwater SO42− and NO3− concentrations increased during stormflow, peak concentrations of these anions were much less than average concentrations in the precipitation. This suggests retention of these solutes occurs even when water residence time is short.
Exclusive Th2 Primary Effector Function in Spleens but Mixed Th1/Th2 Function in Lymph Nodes of Murine Neonates

Recent studies have shown that neonatal mice are competent to develop mature, Ag-specific Th1 function in situ. However, under many conditions, Th2 responses dominate in the neonate, while Th1 responses are more prevalent in adults. To compare further the immune responses of neonates and adults, we used the enzyme-linked immunospot method to measure the frequencies of primary Th1/Th2 effectors generated in situ in the spleens and lymph nodes. As assessed by the detection of IFN-γ- or IL-4-producing cells, adults developed mixed Th1/Th2 responses in both organs. Neonatal lymph nodes contained mature frequencies of IFN-γ- and IL-4-producing cells. In striking contrast, while mature frequencies of Th2 cells developed in neonatal spleens, virtually no IFN-γ-secreting cells were detected. Exclusive Th2 function was observed in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 neonates, strains in which the Th2 and Th1 lineages, respectively, are favored in adults. Although Th1 effectors were virtually undetectable, the addition of rIL-12 boosted the frequency of IFN-γ-secreting cells to adult levels. Therefore, Th1 effectors apparently developed in situ, but Th1 effector function either was not promoted or was inhibited upon subsequent exposure to the Ag in culture. Together, these results indicate that the quality of a primary Th response in neonates is strongly dependent on the site of initial Ag exposure; responses initiated in the lymph nodes are mixed Th1/Th2, whereas responses occurring in the spleen are heavily Th2 biased.
Explaining the $ t\overline t $ forward-backward asymmetry without dijet or flavor anomalies

We consider new physics explanations of the anomaly in the \( t\overline t \) forward-backward asymmetry measured at the Tevatron, in the context of flavor conserving models. The recently measured LHC dijet distributions strongly constrain many otherwise viable models. A new scalar particle in the \( \overline 3 \) representation of flavor and color can fit the \( t\overline t \) asymmetry and cross section data at the Tevatron and avoid both low-and high-energy bounds from flavor physics and the LHC. An s-channel resonance in uc → uc scattering at the LHC is predicted to be not far from the current sensitivity. This model also predicts rich top quark physics for the early LHC from decays of the new scalar particles. Single production gives \( t\overline t j \) signatures with high pjetT and pair production leads to \( t\overline t jj \) and 4 jet final states.
El tiempo principia en Xibalbá: claves míticas y realidad socio-política

El tiempo principia en Xibalba is considered as the best expression achieved in contemporary Guatemalan indigenous novels. Written in 1972 by Luis de Lion, this novel displays a rich diversity of social, cultural and political resonances whose meaning is relevant to understand the problems of a broken society due to deep social divisions. This brief analysis merely indicates how the mythical elements of the novel strategies articulate certain social critic whose political importance is undeniable. Following Hans Blumenberg (2004: 103), I would like to show how the poetic and mythic potential of this novel helps to destabilize the powers of an exclusive society.
Impacts of Bolbophorus damnificus (Digenea: Bolbophoridae) on Production Characteristics of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Raised in Experimental Ponds

Bolbophorus damnificus was recognized as a threat to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, production in Louisiana and Mississippi in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Severe to moderate outbreaks (≥34% prevalence) are correlated to heavy losses, but impact of mild outbreaks with low prevalence (<33%) was unknown. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to evaluate sublethal acute (early stage) and chronic (late stage) trematode infection impacts on catfish production. Fish raised in ponds seeded with ram's horn snails from ponds harboring active B. damnificus outbreaks resulted in infection prevalence ranging from 1.6 to 20.4%. Compared to fish raised in ponds not seeded with infected snails (0% prevalence), fish biomass, number harvested, and total feed fed were significantly lower. These data agree with previous studies where mild infections reduced feed consumption, fish production, and economic returns. Infected fish were collected from ponds and used in a laboratory growth study. Once removed from the infection source, weight gain, growth rate, feed consumption, and feed efficiency were equal to or greater than trematode-free fish. This suggests that although early B. damnificus infection (premetacercarial development) can severely impact production, infection has little impact on performance once metacercarial cysts are fully developed, and the infection source is removed.
Pathways of Tradition: Indian Isights in to Indian Worlds

Pathways of Tradition: Indian Isights in to Indian Worlds. National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution; Alexander Hamilton Customs House, New York, N.Y. (November 15, 1992 January 24, 1993).
Challenges of power electronic packaging and modeling

Power electronic packaging is one of the fastest changing areas of technology in the power electronic industry due to the rapid advances in power integrated circuit (IC) fabrication and the demands of a growing market in almost all areas of power electronic application such as portable electronics, consumer electronics, home electronics, computing electronics, automotive, railway and high/strong power industry. However, due to the intrinsic high power dissipation, the performance requirement for power products are extremely high, especially in handling harsh thermal and electrical environments. The design rules and material and structure layout of power packaging are quite different from regular IC packaging. This talk will present a state-of-art and in-depth overview of recent advances, challenges and opportunities in power electronic packaging design and modeling. A review of recent advances in power electronic packaging is presented based on the development of power device integration. The talk will cover in more detail how challenges in both semiconductor content and advanced power package design and materials have co-enabled significant advances in power device capability during recent years. Extrapolating the same trends in representative areas for the remainder of the decade serves to highlight where further improvement in materials and techniques can drive continued enhancements in usability, efficiency, reliability and overall cost of power semiconductor solutions. Along with new power packaging development, modeling is a key to assure successful package design. An overview of the power package modeling is presented. Challenges of power semiconductor packaging and modeling in both next generation design and assembly processes are presented and discussed.
Dasatinib blocks cetuximab- and radiation-induced nuclear translocation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background and purpose The aberrant expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been linked to the etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The first major phase III trial combining cetuximab with radiation confirmed a strong survival advantage. However, both cetuximab and radiation can promote EGFR translocation to the nucleus where it enhances resistance to both of these modalities. In this report we sought to determine how to block cetuximab- and radiation-induced translocation of EGFR to the nucleus in HNSCC cell lines. Material and methods We utilized three established HNSCC cell lines, SCC1, SCC6 and SCC1483 and measured nuclear translocation of EGFR after treatment with cetuximab or radiation. We then utilized dasatinib (BMS-354825), a potent, orally bioavailable inhibitor of several tyrosine kinases, including the Src family kinases, to determine if SFKs blockade could abrogate cetuximab- and radiation-induced nuclear EGFR translocation. Results Cetuximab and radiation treatment of all three HNSCC lines lead to translocation of the EGFR to the nucleus. Blockade of SFKs abrogated cetuximab- and radiation-induced EGFR translocation to the nucleus. Conclusions The data presented in this report suggest that both cetuximab and radiation can promote EGFR translocation to the nucleus and dasatinib can inhibit this process. Collectively these findings may suggest that dasatinib can limit EGFR translocation to the nucleus and may enhance radiotherapy plus cetuximab in HNSCC.
Multicriteria fuzzy decision-making problems based on vague set theory

Abstract Chen et al. (Fuzzy Sets and Systems 67 (1994) (163–172)) present some techniques for handling multicriteria fuzzy decision-making problems based on vague set theory. They provide some functions to measure the degree of suitability of each alternative with respect to a set of criteria presented by vague values. However, in some cases, these functions do not give sufficient information about alternatives. In this paper, we provide new functions to measure the degree of accuracy in the grades of membership of each alternative with respect to a set of criteria represented by vague values. The proposed functions give additional information about alternatives. The techniques proposed in this paper can provide more useful way than those of Chen to efficiently help the decision-maker to make his decision.
A novel ATG4B antagonist inhibits autophagy and has a negative impact on osteosarcoma tumors

Autophagy has been implicated in the progression and chemoresistance of various cancers. In this study, we have shown that osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells lacking ATG4B, a cysteine proteinase that activates LC3B, are defective in autophagy and fail to form tumors in mouse models. By combining in silico docking with in vitro and cell-based assays, we identified small compounds that suppressed starvation-induced protein degradation, LC3B lipidation, and formation of autophagic vacuoles. NSC185058 effectively inhibited ATG4B activity in vitro and in cells while having no effect on MTOR and PtdIns3K activities. In addition, this ATG4B antagonist had a negative impact on the development of Saos-2 osteosarcoma tumors in vivo. We concluded that tumor suppression was due to a reduction in ATG4B activity, since we found autophagy suppressed within treated tumors and the compound had no effects on oncogenic protein kinases. Our findings demonstrate that ATG4B is a suitable anti-autophagy target and a promising therapeutic target to treat osteosarcoma.
The Contribution of RING and B-box 2 Domains to Retroviral Restriction Mediated by Monkey TRIM5α

TRIM5alpha is a cytoplasmic protein that mediates a post-entry block to infection by some retroviruses. TRIM5alpha contains a tripartite motif (TRIM), which includes RING, B-box 2, and coiled-coil domains, and a C-terminal B30.2 (SPRY) domain. We investigated the contribution of the RING and B-box 2 domains to the antiretroviral activity of rhesus monkey TRIM5alpha (TRIM5alpharh), which potently restricts infection by human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus of African green monkeys (SIVagm). Disruption of the RING domain caused mislocalization of TRIM5alpharh so that the cytoplasmic level of the protein was decreased compared with that of the wild-type protein. Nonetheless, partial ability to restrict HIV-1 and SIVagm was retained by the RING domain mutants. By contrast, although TRIM5alpharh mutants with disrupted B-box 2 domains were efficiently expressed and correctly localized to the cytoplasm, antiretroviral activity was absent. The B-box 2 mutants colocalized and associated with wild-type TRIM5alpharh and exerted dominant-negative effects on the antiretroviral activity of the wild-type protein. Taken together with other data, these results indicate that functionally defective TRIM5alpharh molecules that retain a coiled coil can act as dominant-negative inhibitors of wild-type TRIM5alpharh function. The RING domain of TRIM5alpharh is not absolutely required for retrovirus restriction but can influence cytoplasmic levels of the protein and thus indirectly alter function. The B-box 2 domain, by contrast, appears to be essential for efficient retrovirus restriction.
Toward a semiempirical density functional theory of chemical binding

The new ideas ofbond electronegativity andbond hardness are introduced, and a semiempirical density functional approach to the theory of molecular electronic structure and chemical binding is outlined. There result effective electronegativity equalization procedures that permit calculation of binding energies as well as partial charges. By a modelling of the bond electronegativity and bond hardness, a density functional interpretation of earlier bond charge models is established. Some numerical results are given for diatomic molecules.
Redshift in the optical absorption of ZnO single crystals in the presence of an intense midinfrared laser field.

We report time-resolved electroabsorption of a weak probe in a $500\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ thick zinc-oxide crystal in the presence of a strong midinfrared pump in the tunneling limit. We observe a substantial redshift in the absorption edge that scales with the cube root of intensity up to $1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TW}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ($0.38\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2/3}\text{ }{\mathrm{TW}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/3}$) after which it increases more slowly to 0.4 eV at a maximum applied intensity of $5\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TW}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The maximum shift corresponds to more than 10% of the band gap. The change in scaling occurs in a regime of nonperturbative high-order harmonic generation where electrons undergo periodic Bragg scattering from the Brillouin zone boundaries. It also coincides with the limit where the electric field becomes comparable to the ratio of the band gap to the lattice spacing.
Functional mutations in mouse norepinephrine transporter reduce sensitivity to cocaine inhibition

The transporters of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin are molecular targets of cocaine, amphetamine, and therapeutic antidepressants. The residues involved in binding these drugs are unknown. We have performed several rounds of random and site-directed mutagenesis in the mouse norepinephrine transporter and screened for mutants with altered sensitivity to cocaine inhibition of substrate uptake. We have identified a triple mutation that retains close to wild-type transport function but displays a 37-fold decrease in cocaine sensitivity and 24-fold decrease in desipramine sensitivity. In contrast, the mutant's sensitivities to amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate are only slightly changed. Our data reveal critical residues contributing to the potent uptake inhibitions by these important drugs. Furthermore, this drug-resistant triple mutant can be used to generate a unique knock-in mouse line to study the role of norepinephrine transporter in the addictive effects of cocaine and the therapeutic effects of desipramine.
Pr:YAG temperature imaging in gas-phase flows

In this study, a new thermographic phosphor for planar gas-phase thermometry is investigated. The thermographic phosphor used is composed of trivalent praseodymium (Pr3+) ions doped into a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) host. Spectrally-resolved emission data were taken in a furnace for temperatures up to 1,300 K. The emission spectra were used to develop a temperature measurement strategy utilizing a non-equilibrium population ratio. The developed temperature measurement technique was demonstrated in a turbulent heated air jet for exit temperatures ranging from 300 to 750 K. The results demonstrate the promise of the Pr:YAG phosphor for obtaining high-precision single-shot temperature measurements in gas-phase flows.
Hiv-1 gp41 Antigen Demonstration in Esophageal Ulcers with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Esophageal ulcers associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may be chronic, debilitating, and resistant to antifungal or antiviral therapy. The therapeutic management of these lesions remains controversial due to the difficulty in identifying pathogenic agent(s). We review previously published cases and describe three AIDS patients with esophageal ulcers that stained by immunoperoxidase techniques for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 surface glyloprotein (gp41). All three showed symptomatic resolution and healing of their ulcers with corticosteroid therapy. We believe this documentation of HIV-1 gp41 antigen within mononuclear cells of esophageal ulcers in AIDS supports a role of the HIV-1 virus in the pathophysiology of idiopathic esophageal ulcers in patients with AIDS. These cases further support a role for corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of esophageal ulcers resistant to antifungal and antiviral therapy in patients with AIDS.
The etiology of the association between child antisocial behavior and maternal negativity varies across aggressive and non-aggressive rule-breaking forms of antisocial behavior

There is a robust association between negative parenting and child antisocial behavior problems. However, the etiology of this association remains unclear. Extant literature has reported strikingly different conclusions across studies, with some highlighting genetic mediation and others highlighting environmental mediation. One possible reason for these discrepancies across studies may be the failure to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive (rule-breaking) dimensions of childhood antisocial behavior, given their notably different etiologies and developmental trajectories (Burt 2012). The current study sought to examine the phenotypic and etiologic associations of maternal negativity with aggressive and rule-breaking antisocial behavior, respectively. Participants included 824 mothers and their twin children between the ages of 6 and 10. Our results highlighted clear etiologic distinctions in the associations of aggression and rule-breaking with maternal negativity. Aggression was associated with maternal negativity via both genetic and environmental factors, whereas the association between non-aggressive rule-breaking and maternal negativity was entirely environmental in origin. These findings provide additional support for the presence of meaningful distinctions between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of antisocial behavior, and highlight the complex relationship between parenting and child outcome.
Recent Progress in the Preparation of Functional Methacrylate Polymers

Abstract Application of anionic polymerization and group transfer polymerization to the synthesis of methacrylate polymers with one or two functional endgroups and with functional groups in the side chain is described. Success in the preparation of end-functional polymers depends largely on the absence of chain transfer and chain termination reactions. The higher stability of living chains in group transfer polymerization at temperatures as high as 100°C makes it the preferred route to functional polymers.
Regional Cerebral Glucose Utilization Transiently Increases during Mild Hypoxia

Regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCMRglu) was studied during mild hypoxic hypoxia in awake free-ranging rats. Rats were prepared with chronic arterial and venous catheters and placed in individual chambers for 4 days to recover from surgery before the experiments. The catheters were accessible by passing them through the top of the chambers. Hypoxia was induced by filling the chambers with a gas mixture consisting of 11% o2 in a balance of N2. Regional CMRglu and physiological parameters were measured in normoxic controls and in rats that had been hypoxic for 2 and 17 min before beginning the measurements. Regional CMRglu was measured in 17 brain regions using [6-14C]glucose. Pao2 decreased from 88 mm Hg in the controls to ∼40 mm Hg during hypoxia. In the early stages of hypoxia (2–12 min), rCMRglu increased ∼10–25% above the control rates. In later stages of hypoxia (17–27 min), rCMRglu was not different from that in the normoxic controls. The increase in rCMRglu in the early hypoxia was not blocke...
The Child Care Ecology Inventory: A Domain-Specific Measure of Home-Based Child Care Quality to Promote Social Competence for School Readiness.

Abstract This study investigates the reliability and validity of the Child Care Ecology Inventory (CCEI), a measure of the quality of family child care in the social domain. The CCEI focuses on research-based environmental features and caregiving practices for promoting positive social development in preschool-age children. A total of 198 family child care homes in the Northwest USA participated. Good scale reliabilities were found for the measures of the environment ( Enrichment and Organization ) and for caregivers’ practices ( Monitoring, Positive Attention , Promoting Social Skills , and Teaching Rules ) and interrater reliability was adequate for research purposes. The CCEI was associated with other commonly used measures of child care quality that assessed similar environmental and caregiving constructs. Linear regression models were run to determine the features of family child care quality that were concurrently associated with observed child behavior. The child–caregiver ratio, Environment Organization , and caregivers’ Teaching Rules were negatively associated with children's problem behavior (noncompliance and aggression). Caregivers’ provision of Planned Activities/Routines and Positive Attention were associated with positive child behavior. Results indicate that different aspects of quality are related to different aspects of children's social interactions and behaviors.
Ridge, Moldboard, Chisel, and No‐Till Effects on Tile Water Quality beneath Two Cropping Systems

Soil conservation tillage systems, including ridge-tillage, often reduce surface water contamination by pesticides because soil erosion and surface runoff are reduced. However, the effects on losses through subsurface drainage tile are somewhat uncertain. Our field study quantified the effects of four tillage practices in continuous corn (Zea mays L.) and corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] rotations on herbicide and nitrate N losses in tile drainage water. Fertilizer and pesticide application methods were uniform for ridge, moldboard, chisel, and no-till systems. Pesticide and nitrate N leaching losses were significantly affected by crop rotation. Tillage practice had little influence on nitrate N and pesticide losses to the subsurface drainage water within a corn-soybean rotation. However, ridge-till and no-till resulted in larger losses of atrazine than the moldboard plow and chisel based systems under continuous corn. Tillage system did not affect the timings of peak tile flow occurrences, although peak tile flow volume was affected by tillage, presumably because each system had its own macropore system related to preservation or annual destruction of biopores by tillage. Corn yields were significantly higher under corn-soybean rotation than with continuous-corn for all tillage practices. These results indicate that continuous corn production is not an environmentally sustainable practice for this area because it resulted in higher nitrate N leaching losses to groundwater, received higher N-applications, and resulted in lower corn yields than the corn-soybean rotation. The results also reinforce the need for studies on chemical placement, rate, and timing for various tillage practices to reduce tile drainage losses of agricultural chemicals.
INTERMITTENT PHOTOTHERAPY: EFFECT ON INTRACELLULAR DNA

Our previous investigations on phototherapy have indicated that this procedure might involve a genetic as well as a carcinogenic hazard by virtue of its ability to modify the intracellular DNA of human cells in tissue culture. Because of this observation techniques for modifying the phototherapy regimen have been advocated. Thus, it has been suggested that intermittent phototherapy might be a safer alternative. Current studies in this laboratory indicate, however, that varying the “on-off” cycle does not prevent DNA damage. On the contrary, the DNA of human cells exposed to an intermittent illumination regimen (30 min off-on cycle) was more damaged than the DNA of cells exposed to the same light dosage administered continuously. It appears that the enhanced DNA degradation is a reflection of the DNA repair process. In this connection it is noteworthy that permanent changes (genetic or carcinogenic) probably are a consequence of such DNA repair (e.g. error-prone repair, misrepair). Thus, intermittent phototherapy may not be a satisfactory alternative in view of its potential effect on DNA repair processes.
Detection of the Signature of Natural Selection in Humans: Evidence from the Duffy Blood Group Locus

The Duffy blood group locus, which encodes a chemokine receptor, is characterized by three alleles— FY*A, FY*B, and FY*O. The frequency of the FY*O allele, which corresponds to the absence of Fy antigen on red blood cells, is at or near fixation in most sub-Saharan African populations but is very rare outside Africa. The F ST value for the FY*O allele is the highest observed for any allele in humans, providing strong evidence for the action of natural selection at this locus. Homozygosity for the FY*O allele confers complete resistance to vivax malaria, suggesting that this allele has been the target of selection by Plasmodium vivax or some other infectious agent. To characterize the signature of directional selection at this locus, we surveyed DNA sequence variation, both in a 1.9-kb region centered on the FY*O mutation site and in a 1-kb region 5–6 kb away from it, in 17 Italians and in a total of 24 individuals from five sub-Saharan African populations. The level of variation across both regions is two- to threefold lower in the Africans than in the Italians. As a result, the pooled African sample shows a significant departure from the neutral expectation for the number of segregating sites, whereas the Italian sample does not. The FY*O allele occurs on two major haplotypes in three of the five African populations. This finding could be due to recombination, recurrent mutation, population structure, and/or mutation accumulation and drift. Although we are unable to distinguish among these alternative hypotheses, it is likely that the two major haplotypes originated prior to selection on the FY*O mutation.
Public Support for Reducing US Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Investigating Household Willingness-to-Pay for Energy Research and Development

Abstract In order to reduce future dependence on foreign oil and emissions of CO2, how much would US households be willing to pay annually to support increased energy research and development (R&D) activities designed to replace fossil fuels? Does it matter whether the R&D includes nuclear energy options? We explore these questions using data from a unique set of national telephone and Internet surveys. Using a national advisory referendum format, the contingent valuation method is applied to estimate annual household willingness-to-pay (WTP) for US household support of a national Energy Research and Development Fund (ERDF) for investments in energy sources not reliant on fossil fuels. While accounting for the level of (un)certainty in voting responses, the WTP modeling includes a comparison of both classic maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and Bayesian analysis. Evidence indicates that MLE and Bayesian analysis achieve similar statistical inference, while the Bayesian analysis provides a narrower confidence interval around estimated WTP.
American policymaking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1996-1999: the anti-Kabila bias and the crushing neutrality of the Lusaka Accords

This article examines the development of American policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why did the U.S. become involved? I argue that Washington’s policy was based in how they framed the conflict. They chose to see it through the prism of Rwandan and Ugandan security needs. The Administration favored the narrative of genocide instead of contemplating a war of “partition and plunder.” This may not be surprising because Washington often privileges a Westphalian approach to security and ignores the role of economic sub-state actors. However, by doing so they exhibited a “crushing neutrality” towards Laurent Kabila.
Choice intake of saline and water in pinealectomized rats under diurnal or constant lighting conditions.

Abstract Because the pineal gland appears to influence sodium retention, and because the production of several pineal hormones appears to be inhibited by light, saline and water choice intake was investigated in rats given normal and sodium-deplete diets under diurnal and constant lighting conditions. Under dirunal lighting pinealectomized animals ingested more saline than sham-operated controls. Total fluid intake declined when both groups of animals were placed on a sodium-free diet; this decline was generally due to a decrease in the amount of water ingested. Water intake was highly similar for pinealectomized animals regardless of lighting condition but water intake decreased for the sham-operated controls in the constant lighting condition. While total saline intake did not increase after animals were placed on a sodium-free diet, the proportion of saline ingested in choice with water did increase under diurnal lighting conditions.
Effects of Hofmeister Anions on the Phase Transition Temperature of Elastin-like Polypeptides

The modulation of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of two elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) was investigated in the presence of 11 sodium salts that span the Hofmeister series for anions. It was found that the hydrophobic collapse/aggregation of these ELPs generally followed the series. Specifically, kosmotropic anions decreased the LCST by polarizing interfacial water molecules involved in hydrating amide groups on the ELPs. On the other hand, chaotropic anions lowered the LCST through a surface tension effect. Additionally, chaotropic anions showed salting-in properties at low salt concentrations that were related to the saturation binding of anions with the biopolymers. These overall mechanistic effects were similar to those previously found for the hydrophobic collapse and aggregation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM. There is, however, a crucial difference between PNIPAM and ELPs. Namely, PNIPAM undergoes a two-step collapse process as a function of temperature in the presence of sufficient concentrations of kosmotropic salts. By contrast, ELPs undergo collapse in a single step in all cases studied herein. This suggests that the removal of water molecules from around the amide moieties triggers the removal of hydrophobic hydration waters in a highly coupled process. There are also some key differences between the LCST behavior of the two ELPs. Specifically, the more hydrophilic ELP V5A2G3-120 construct displays collapse/aggregation behavior that is consistent with a higher concentration of anions partitioning to polymer/aqueous interface as compared to the more hydrophobic ELP V5-120. It was also found that larger anions could bind with ELP V5A2G3-120 more readily in comparison with ELP V5-120. These latter results were interpreted in terms of relative binding site accessibility of the anion for the ELP.
Teaching on the internet: Lessons learned from a substantive criminal law class

Universities across the United States offer classes taught entirely over the Internet. Teaching with this medium, however, is still relatively new so faculty and administrators need to understand the salient issues that attend to course offerings in a “virtual classroom.” This paper discusses the benefits and challenges that arose when a Substantive Criminal Law course was developed and taught on the Internet in the Fall of 1997. Pedagogical and technical issues that arose during the development and implementation of the course are addressed. Policy recommendations are also suggested.
How Effective Is Melatonin as a Preventive Treatment for Hemicrania Continua? A Clinic-Based Study

Objective To assess the efficacy of melatonin as a preventive therapy for hemicrania continua in a larger population of patients than has previously been studied. Background Hemicrania continua is defined by its sensitivity to indomethacin. Rarely can patients be fully tapered off indomethacin without headache recurrence; thus, the risks associated with chronic indomethacin usage are substantial for these individuals. Melatonin, a pineal hormone with a similar chemical structure to indomethacin, has shown efficacy as a preventive agent for hemicrania continua in isolated case reports. Melatonin would be a preferential alternative prophylactic treatment to indomethacin because of its minimal side effect profile. How truly effective melatonin is as a preventive for hemicrania continua is unknown at present and needs further study. Methods Retrospective analysis of all International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 beta diagnosed hemicrania continua patients treated with both indomethacin and melatonin at the Geisinger Headache Center from July 2011 to January 2014. Results Eleven patients were treated (9 women, 2 men). Two patients became pain free on melatonin, while partial relief was noted in 3 other patients; thus, they were able to lower their dose of indomethacin but could not achieve pain freedom with melatonin alone. Six patients had no response. Melatonin dosing needed for response ranged from 3 to 30 mg. In the partial relief responders, indomethacin dosing decreased by 50% to 75%. Conclusion From this single clinic investigation, only a small percent of subjects with hemicrania continua (less than 20%) will achieve pain freedom on melatonin, thus clearly not matching the effectiveness of indomethacin. However, the addition of melatonin to indomethacin may allow around 45% of patients to have complete or partial relief of their headache with the subsequent ability to reduce or eliminate their indomethacin dosage, which may lead to a decrease in medical morbidity over time secondary to less exposure to indomethacin.
Odd perfect numbers, Diophantine equations, and upper bounds

We obtain a new upper bound for odd multiperfect numbers. If N is an odd perfect number with k distinct prime divisors and P is its largest prime divisor, we find as a corollary that 1012P 2N 10 and N has at least 101 prime factors (counting multiplicity). If k is the number of distinct prime factors, then as proved in [12, 13] we have k ≥ 9 and N 10. Starting in §2, readers should be familiar with basic facts about odd perfect numbers, including knowledge of congruence restrictions related to the special prime. As this paper is an extension of the methods used in [13], starting in §3 the reader should be familiar with the ideas in that paper. 1. A better upper bound Let N be a positive integer. Following the literature, N is said (in increasing order of generality) to be perfect when σ(N)/N = 2, multiperfect when σ(N)/N ∈ Z, and n/d-perfect when σ(N)/N = n/d. For simplicity, we will always assume n, d ∈ Z>0. Note that n/d does not need to be in lowest terms. Writing N = ∏k i=1 p ei i where p1 < . . . < pk are the prime divisors of N , the equation σ(N)/N = n/d 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 11N25, Secondary 11Y50.
Requirement for ribosome-releasing factor for the release of ribosomes at the termination codon.

With the use of 3H-labeled R17 amB2 phage RNA having an UAG codon at the seventh triplet of the coat cistron, release of the RNA from ribosomes at the termination codon was studied. The ribosome-releasing factor previously described was shown to stimulate the process of mRNA release at the termination codon. The stimulatory effect of the factor on this process was dependent on the termination factor (RF-1). GTP was required for this process and guanosine 5′-(β,γ-methylene)triphosphate could not replace GTP. No apparent change of size of R17 RNA was observed during the release of the R17 RNA from the ribosomes. The ribosome-releasing factor is distinct from the known termination codon-specific factor such as RF-1.
Evaluation of Platinum Electrodes and Three Electrode Potential Standards to Determine Electrode Quality

The pre-installation evaluation of Pt electrodes in electrode potential (E H ) standards is crucial for reliable field interpretations. During a routine check of electrode quality in three different E H standards before field installation, inconsistent and variable results were recorded. Due to the preliminary observational results, the objectives of this study were to: (i) elucidate why E H readings in the same buffer were different before and after soaking in water, (ii) identify the most rigorous standard for detecting poor electrode function, and (iii) determine causation for disparity in the electrode performance in E H standards when using constructed E H electrodes. Electrodes were evaluated in quinhydrone in pH 4 and pH 7 buffers and ferrous-ferric sulfate solutions. Additionally, an experiment was developed to intentionally expose Cu in E H electrodes with decreasing area of the metal exposed. Finally, aqueous macroscopic electrochemical and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic evaluations of Cu in the three standards were conducted to characterize and quantify the reduction-oxidation reactions of Cu. This study found that quinhydrone in pH 7 buffer was not a rigorous standard for determining improper function of Pt electrodes constructed utilizing Cu wire. Due to the interrelationship between the reduction-oxidation potential of Cu and pH, standards with low pH proved to be a more rigorous standard.
Differential effects of one- vs two-stage amygdaloid lesions on activity, exploratory, and avoidance behavior in the albino rat.

Amygdala lesions were inflicted in one or two stages and their effect on activity, exploration, and response to aversive stimulation compared with the consequences of sham surgery. Statistical comparisons among one-stage, two-stage, and nonoperated upon groups revealed consistent and severe impairment in one-stage animals only. The findings suggest that the recovery of certain behaviors, perhaps through a mechanism of functional reorganization within the brain, is facilitated under certain operative conditions. Differences in degree of recovery depending on task used indicate the importance of adequate task selection for the demonstration of the recovery of function phenomenon.
Theoretical study of polymeric mixtures with different sequence statistics. II. Brazovskii class: Linear random copolymers with diblock copolymers

We use a Landau theory to study the instability of the homogeneous state of a mixture of linear random copolymers and diblock copolymers. Interesting features of the calculated structure factors for different components of the mixture are found, which can be directly compared with scattering experiments with selectively deuterated samples. We also investigate the least stable concentration fluctuations and find four different types of segregation modes at the spinodal depending upon the characteristics of the mixture (e.g., average compositions, statistical correlation lengths and volume fractions). The different segregation modes are also indicative of the kinetic pathways leading to the formation of ordered microstructures. Experiments probing these pathways are suggested.