cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Ubiquinol Binding Site of Cytochrome bo3 from Escherichia coli Accommodates Menaquinone and Stabilizes a Functional Menasemiquinone

Cytochrome bo3, one of three terminal oxygen reductases in the aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli, has been well characterized as a ubiquinol oxidase. The ability of cytochrome bo3 to catalyze the two-electron oxidation of ubiquinol-8 requires the enzyme to stabilize the one-electron oxidized ubisemiquinone species that is a transient intermediate in the reaction. Cytochrome bo3 has been shown recently to also utilize demethylmenaquinol-8 as a substrate that, along with menaquinol-8, replaces ubiquinol-8 when E. coli is grown under microaerobic or anaerobic conditions. In this work, we show that its steady-state turnover with 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinol, a water-soluble menaquinol analogue, is just as efficient as with ubiquinol-1. Using pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the same residues in cytochrome bo3 that stabilize the semiquinone state of ubiquinone also stabilize the semiquinone state of menaquinone, with the hydrogen bond strengths and the dist...
Prospective tourists’ risk perceptions and intentions to travel to a mega-sporting event host country with apparent risk

ABSTRACTWhile the global appeal of the Olympic Games has attracted a massive amount of attention, this increased focus has resulted in heightened risk occurring around the event. Prospective touris...
Direct frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging using field programmable gate arrays for real time processing.

Frequency domain (FD) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) involves the excitation of the sample of interest with a modulated light source and digitization of the fluorescence emission for further analysis. Traditional FD-FLIM systems use heterodyne or homodyne detection, where the excitation light source and detector are modulated at specific frequency(s). More recently, FD-FLIM systems that use reflection of the light source as a trigger or phase reference for lifetime calculations have been developed. These detection schemes, however, require extra components that increase the cost and complexity of the FD-FLIM system. Here, we report a novel FD-FLIM detection scheme whereby the light source modulation and emission digitization are implemented using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and fixed gain avalanche photodiodes are used for fluorescence detection. The reported FD-FLIM system was designed for probing nanosecond lifetime fluorophores (2–10 ns) at three emission bands simultaneously. The system utilizes a 375 nm diode laser for excitation at multiple simultaneous modulation frequencies (between 1 MHz and 83 MHz, bandwidth limited intentionally by using a lowpass filter) and three fixed gain avalanche photodiodes for simultaneous detection of three emission bands: 405/20 nm, 440/40 nm, and 525/50 nm (center/FWHM). Real-time computation of the modulation and phase lifetimes is simply performed by direct application of the discrete Fourier transform (max. of 10 frequencies) to the digitized fluorescence emission signals. The accuracy and sensitivity of this novel FD-FLIM detection scheme was demonstrated by imaging standard fluorophores and ex vivo unfixed human coronary artery tissue samples.
An array-based receiver function deconvolution method: methodology and application

Receiver functions (RFs) estimated on dense arrays have been widely used for the study of Earth structures across multiple scales. However, due to the ill-posedness of deconvolution, RF estimation faces challenges such as non-uniqueness and data overfitting. In this paper, we present an array-based RF deconvolution method in the context of emerging dense arrays. We propose to exploit the wavefield coherency along a dense array by joint inversions of waveforms from multiple events and stations for RFs with a minimum number of phases required by data. The new method can effectively reduce the instability of deconvolution and help retrieve RFs with higher fidelity. We test the algorithm on synthetic waveforms and show that it produces RFs with higher interpretability than those by the conventional RF estimation practice. Then we apply the method to real data from the 2016 Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) community wavefield experiment in Oklahoma and are able to generate high-resolution RF profiles with only three teleseismic earthquakes recorded by the temporary deployment. This new method should help enhance RF images derived from short-term high-density seismic profiles.
Healthy eating and physical activity among breastfeeding women: the role of misinformation

Eating healthy, being physically active and breastfeeding can greatly support a new mother’s physiological and psychological health. However, within the United States, only 8.5% of women are meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations and only 35% of women are maintaining their pre-pregnancy physical activity after childbirth. Preliminary investigations suggest barriers such as lack of time and knowledge hinder a breastfeeding woman’s ability to eat well and be physically active. The purpose of this study was to explore women’s perceptions of healthy eating and physical activity while breastfeeding. This qualitative study utilized a 33-question semi-structured interview guide developed using the constructs of Self-Determination Theory. Data were analyzed via the process of immersion/crystallization. A total of 24 breastfeeding women completed a roughly 40-min telephone interview. The mean age of the mother was 32 ± .88 and the mean age of the child being breastfed was 8.5 ± 1.4 months old. Findings demonstrate mothers see value in engaging in physical activity primarily for reasons related to self-care. In addition, breastfeeding women have a lack of information and support regarding healthy eating and physical activity while breastfeeding and many are receiving misinformation through resources such as Facebook support groups. Finally, mothers want more resources available that focus specifically on healthy behaviors while breastfeeding. Women need greater access to education and resources regarding healthy eating and physical activity while breastfeeding. Ideally, information and resources would come from an educated health professional such as their healthcare provider rather than an internet source.
A partitioned numerical scheme for fluid–structure interaction with slip

We present a loosely coupled, partitioned scheme for solving fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems with the Navier slip boundary condition. The fluid flow is modeled by the Navier–Stokes equations for an incompressible, viscous fluid, interacting with a thin elastic structure modeled by the membrane or Koiter shell type equations. The fluid and structure are coupled via two sets of coupling conditions: a dynamic coupling condition describing balance of forces, and a kinematic coupling condition describing fluid slipping tangentially to the moving fluid–structure interface, with no penetration in the normal direction. Problems of this type arise in, e.g. , FSI with hydrophobic structures or surfaces treated with a no-stick coating, and in biologic FSI involving rough surfaces of elastic tissues or tissue scaffolds. We propose a novel, efficient partitioned scheme where the fluid sub-problem is solved separately from the structure sub-problem, and there is no need for sub-iterations at every time step to achieve stability, convergence, and its first-order accuracy. We derive energy estimates, which prove that the proposed scheme is unconditionally stable for the corresponding linear problem. Moreover, we present convergence analysis and show that under a time-step condition, the method is first-order accurate in time and optimally convergent in space for a Finite Element Method-based spatial discretization. The theoretical rates of convergence in time are confirmed numerically on an example with an explicit solution using the method of manufactured solutions, and on a benchmark problem describing propagation of a pressure pulse in a two-dimensional channel. The effects of the slip rate and fluid viscosity on the FSI solution are numerically investigated in two additional examples: a 2D cylindrical FSI example for which an exact Navier slip Poiseuille-type solution is found and used for comparison, and a squeezed ketchup bottle example with gravity enhanced flow. We show that the Navier-slip boundary condition increases the outflow mass flow rate by 21% for a bottle angled at 45 degrees pointing downward, in the direction of gravity.
The Covid19 Pandemic and the Emergent Need for Quarantine Medicine.

The scale of the Covid19 pandemic has changed the landscape of healthcare services around the world. Quarantine is one of many non- pharmaceutical interventions historically used in managing pandemics but there is currently no global medical consensus on the best format, with most countries employing a continuously reviewed system to determine needs.
Predicting Success in a Statistics Course Geared toward Allied Health Students

Statistics education is an important component of allied health education. Although success in statistics courses has been reported for students in fields such as business, nursing and psychology, there is a dearth of literature in students of other allied health science disciplines. As statistics is a gatekeeper course for many of these disciplines, understanding and addressing demographic predictors of success is a crucial step in helping to maintain a diverse healthcare workforce. In this study, ethnicity, gender, their interaction, age, and class format were used to predict 953 success outcomes in a retrospective dataset, with major being used as a random effect. Ethnicity alone predicted success, with students of other ethnicities having 0.6 times the odds of success as their Caucasian counterparts. As statistics is a potential gatekeeper course for success in health professions programs, academic instructors, administrators and other stakeholders should take steps to ascertain the incidence and nature of disparities in their settings, as it may play a role in maintaining a diverse healthcare workforce.
A 28–37 GHz Triple-Stage Transformer-Coupled SiGe LNA with 2.5 dB Minimum NF for Low Power Wideband Phased Array Receivers

This work presents a transformer-based three-stage SiGe low-noise amplifier (LNA) implemented in the Tower Semiconductor SBC18S5 process. The design realizes wideband input matching using a T-coil network, and wideband interstage matching using coupled transformers. The LNA exhibits 20 dB gain with a 3-dB bandwidth > 9 GHz and has a minimum noise figure (NF) of 2.5 dB with 13 mW of power consumption. The LNA can also operate at 6 mW power consumption with only a 0.3 dB increase in the NF, and achieves 3 dB of gain for 1 mW of DC power consumption at 33 GHz. To the author's knowledge, this work presents one of the highest figure-of-merit (FoM) of mm-wave amplifiers with a center frequency above 30 GHz.
The diagnostic spectrum of ATP1A3-related disorders: 3 new patients

Abstract Background ATP1A3-related disorders are rare but increasingly recognized syndromes with overlapping phenotypes. Clinical observations A male child and his mother with c.2452G>A (p.Glu818Lys) mutation and an unrelated child with c.2428A>T (p.Ile810Phe) mutation in the ATP1A3 gene are reported. Results The first child presented with fever-induced flaccid unresponsiveness and the diagnosis was made after extensive negative workup except for abnormal EMG showing low amplitude motor responses with acute denervation; his symptomatic mother went undiagnosed for thirty years until his diagnosis. An unrelated male child presented with symptoms most consistent with the rapid-onset dystonia-Parkinsonism (RDP) phenotype but with intermediate features of alternating dystonia with choreoathetoid movements two years after a c.2428A>T (p.Ile810Phe) mutation was found. Conclusion ATP1A3-related disorders have variable manifestations and can remain undiagnosed for decades. Treatment remains mostly supportive. With the increasing use of genetic testing for broad indications, further research into effective therapies is necessary.
Comparative narrative analysis as a tool in determining the lectio difficilior in Mark 1:40-45 - a narrative analysis of Codices Bezae, Vaticanus, and Washingtonianus

The most contested textual variant in Mark 1:40–45 is whether Jesus was filled with compassion for the leper (σπλαγχνισθeίς) or with anger (ὀργισθeίς). Using quantitative narrative analysis (QNA), the article addresses the issue of the lectio difficilior for this variant. Three manuscripts (Bezae, Vaticanus, and Washingtonianus) are analysed to determine the distinctive Tendenz of each for this story. Codices D and W present the story in opposite ways but have parallel tendencies when it comes to plot and characterisation. On the other hand, B presents a more complex and variegated plot and characterisations which suggest that B contains the lectio difficilior . This narrative approach can serve textual critics as another way to approach internal arguments.
Merger Analysis and the Treatment of Uncertainty: Should We Expect Better?

Each stage of merger analysis involves predictions about uncertain events. The quality of merger enforcement and its ability to improve consumer welfare depend heavily on how well the federal antitrust agencies cope with such uncertainty. The agencies and the courts have to date adopted an approach to uncertainty that runs a substantial risk of allowing harmful mergers and of blocking beneficial transactions. This article examines how decision theory could be applied to the analysis of uncertainty in reviewing mergers, thereby improving antitrust enforcement and its impacts on consumer welfare.
The Molecular Biology of Drug Resistance in Parasitic Helminths

Biochemical and molecular biological studies have been conducted on drug or pesticide resistance in bacteria, cancer cells, fungi, insects, plants and protozoa and indicate that the major mechanisms of resistance are reduced drug uptake, increased drug inactivation and altered receptor sites or sometimes a combination of these mechanisms. By contrast very little is known about the occurrence, importance or drug resistant mechanisms in parasitic helminths. A prerequisite for biochemical studies is the isolation and selection of highly resistant strains of worms, which requires extensive field work and simplified detection and selection procedures. From these studies a range of nematodes and trematodes resistant to existing anthelmintics are likely to arise.
A novel T-cell receptor mimic defines dendritic cells that present an immunodominant West Nile virus epitope in mice.

We used a newly generated T-cell receptor mimic monoclonal antibody (TCRm MAb) that recognizes a known nonself immunodominant peptide epitope from West Nile virus (WNV) NS4B protein to investigate epitope presentation after virus infection in C57BL/6 mice. Previous studies suggested that peptides of different length, either SSVWNATTAI (10-mer) or SSVWNATTA (9-mer) in complex with class I MHC antigen H-2Db, were immunodominant after WNV infection. Our data establish that both peptides are presented on the cell surface after WNV infection and that CD8+ T cells can detect 10- and 9-mer length variants similarly. This result varies from the idea that a given T-cell receptor (TCR) prefers a single peptide length bound to its cognate class I MHC. In separate WNV infection studies with the TCRm MAb, we show that in vivo the 10-mer was presented on the surface of uninfected and infected CD8α+CD11c+ dendritic cells, which suggests the use of direct and cross-presentation pathways. In contrast, CD11b+CD11c− cells bound the TCRm MAb only when they were infected. Our study demonstrates that TCR recognition of peptides is not limited to certain peptide lengths and that TCRm MAbs can be used to dissect the cell-type specific mechanisms of antigen presentation in vivo.
XViz: A Tool for Visualizing XPath Expressions

We describe a visualization tool for XPath expressions called XViz. Starting from a workload of XQueries, the tool extracts the set of all XPath expressions, and displays them together with some relationships. XViz is intended to be used by an XML database administrator in order to assist her in performing routine tasks such as database tuning, performance debugging, comparison between versions, etc. Two kinds of semantic relationships are computed and displayed by XViz, ancestor/descendant and containment. We describe an efficient, optimized algorithm to compute them.
Allosomal and autosomal control of sex ratio in PHH and PHL mice.

When male mice from inbred PHH (sex ratio.535) and PHL (.435) are mated to females of various inbred lines, the sex ratio follows the male parent. The sex ratios from litters sired by reciprocal cross F1 males (letting A represent a set of autosomes) are 0.510 from AH/AL, XL/YH and 0.469 from AH/AL, XH/YL. The difference is statistically significant but only half the difference between pure strains. The paternal effect, presumably due to the Y, persists in progeny of the two kinds of F2 males. In backcrosses to the female parent, resulting finally in AH/AH, XH/YL and AL/AL, XL/YH, and in out-crosses, the effect of the Y chromosome does not persist, indicating that neither the Y alone, nor the autosomes alone, will cause the sex ratio to depart significantly from equality of sexes. When pairs of males in all possible combinations were presented with C57BL/6 females mating success gave the following ranking: AH·YL, AL·YL, AH·YH, AL·YH. The combination of autosomes from PHH and Y-chromosome from PHL seems to confer the greatest competitive advantage.
Tight Frame with Hahn and Krawtchouk Polynomials of Several Variables

Finite tight frames for polynomial subspaces are constructed using monic Hahn polynomials and Krawtchouk polynomials of several variables. Based on these polynomial frames, two methods for constructing tight frames for the Euclidean spaces are designed. With ${\mathsf r}(d,n):= \binom{n+d-1}{n}$, the first method generates, for each $m \ge n$, two families of tight frames in ${\mathbb R}^{{\mathsf r}(d,n)}$ with ${\mathsf r}(d+1,m)$ elements. The second method generates a tight frame in ${\mathbb R}^{{\mathsf r}(d,N)}$ with $1 + N \times{\mathsf r}(d+1, N)$ vectors. All frame elements are given in explicit formulas.
Design of nonlinear PID controllers using system step response

Abstract This paper presents a computer-aided control engineering (CACE) environment for synthesis of nonlinear and time-varying PID controllers for use with systems that have highly nonlinear plants. The implemented CACE technique is based on a four-step systematic procedure. The nonlinear PID controller design methodology and the associated software allow the user to synthesize for robust nonlinear closed-loop feedback systems whose dynamic and static behaviours would satisfy a set of user-defined performance measures with a little sensitivity to the amplitude level of the excitation command as possible. The CACE environment performs a complete cycle of steps starting from plant description to time-domain modelling, linear system identification, controller synthesis, and design validation via digital simulation.
Dealing With the Problematic Partner or Associate

Problematic physicians can sap the morale of practice members and rend the very fabric of the group. When problems are ignored, the physicians who cause them become emboldened; their bad behavior persists, and the entire practice suffers. An appropriate employment contract must be structured; this provides a mechanism for the group to take action against a practice member. The development and implementation of practice policies that are in place before they are needed are key to dealing with a spectrum of practice issues. Failure to have prospective policies in place mandates that a practice reacts to a specific concern, and the action taken is usually either too punitive or too permissive. To be effective, policies must have meaningful consequences for breach. Finally, the practice president must confront and deal with the problematic radiologist in the appropriate manner specified by the group-adopted policy.
Advancing the Science of Digital Forensics

Digital forensics, the branch of forensic science that focuses on the recovery and investigation of digital data, has applications in many contexts outside the courtroom, including research, policy enforcement, and intelligence gathering.
Contingent Valuation When Respondents Are Ambivalent

Abstract Respondents to contingent valuation surveys may have difficulty resolving ambivalence over trade-offs between money and changes in levels of environmental amenities. In two separate studies, respondents were given the opportunity to express intensity of preferences through polychotomous choice valuation questions. This elicitation method produced slightly higher rates of usable responses than dichotomous choice, but with wide ambivalence regions. Dichotomous choice responses appear to reflect a conservatism strategy, in that ambivalent respondents tend to reject any move away from the baseline.
Incremental cost-effectiveness of guideline-directed medical therapies for heart failure.

Objectives This study sought to quantify the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), beta-blocker (BB), and aldosterone antagonist (AldA) therapies for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Background There are evidence-based, guideline-directed medical therapies for patients with HFrEF, but the incremental cost-effectiveness of these therapies has not been well studied using contemporary data. Methods A Markov model with lifetime horizon and two states, dead or alive, was created. We compared HFrEF patients treated with diuretic agents alone to three treatment arms: 1) ACEI therapy alone; 2) ACEI+BB; and 3) ACEI+BB+AldA. Sequential therapy was also analyzed. HF hospitalizations and mortality rates were based on representative studies. Costs of medications and inpatient and outpatient care were accounted for. Results Treatment with ACEI and ACEI+BB strictly dominated treatment with diuretics only (cost-saving). The greatest gains in quality-adjusted life-years occurred when all 3 guideline-directed medications were provided. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ACEI+BB+AldA versus ACEI+BB and ACEI+BB versus ACEI was Conclusions Our analysis demonstrates that medical treatment of HFrEF is highly cost-effective and may even result in cost-savings. Greater efforts to ensure optimal adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF are warranted.
Factors affecting alum-protein interactions.

Abstract Alum (or aluminum-containing) adjuvants are key components of many vaccines currently on the market. The immuno-potentiation effect of alum adjuvants is presumably due to their interaction with antigens, leading to adsorption on the alum particle surface. Understanding the mechanism of antigen adsorption/desorption and its influencing factors could provide guidance on formulation design and ensure proper in-vivo immuno-potentiation effect. In this paper, surface adsorption of several model proteins on two types of aluminum adjuvants (Alhydrogel® and Adjuphos®) are investigated to understand the underlying adsorption mechanisms, capacities, and potential influencing factors. It was found that electrostatic interactions are the major driving force for surface adsorption of all the model proteins except ovalbumin. Alhydrogel has a significantly higher adsorption capacity than Adjuphos. Several factors significantly change the adsorption capacity of both Alhydrogel and Adjuphos, including molecular weight of protein antigens, sodium chloride, phosphate buffer, denaturing agents, and size of aluminum particles. These important factors need to be carefully considered in the design of an effective protein antigen-based vaccine.
Moderators of Perceived Behavioral Control's Predictiveness in the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of the theory of planned behavior is conducted to (a) assess the robustness of the theory and (b) delineate conditions that moderate support for the theory. The results indicate that the pairwise relations featuring perceived behavioral control cannot be considered homogeneous across studies. Using a matrix of aggregated effect sizes, a causal model was estimated to assess the significance of the causal relations specified in the theory. The model performed well, with perceived behavioral control serving as an antecedent to both behavioral intention and behavior. Furthermore, conditions under which perceived behavioral control can be expected to be a stronger versus a weaker predictor of behavior and behavioral intention are identified. Four such moderators are identified, and causal models are estimated at each level of the moderator. The results show that perceived behavioral control is a stronger predictor of behavior when it (a) is operationalized as a global (vs. belief-based) measure, (b) is conceptualized to reflect control over factors primarily internal (vs. external) to an individual, and (c) is used for nonstudent (vs. student) samples and familiar (vs. unfamiliar) behaviors. Perceived behavioral control is found to be a stronger predictor of behavioral intention with student (vs. nonstudent) samples and familiar (vs. unfamiliar) behaviors and is equally predictive under the operationalization (global or belief) and conceptualization (internal or external control) moderators.
Large scale scientific computation via minicomputer

Abstract A program of research designed to test the suitability of minicomputers for large scale scientific computations is described. The scientific problems to be attacked are those traditionally reserved for the largest and fastest commercially available electronic computers: the calculation of potential energy surfaces and subsequent evaluation of the dynamics of chemical reactions.
Expading dual labour market theory: crack dealers and the informal sector.

Attempts to theorize the relationship between the informal and the illegal sectors of the economy. States that there are significant behavioural similarities. Proposes an emergent paradigm based on dual labour market theory to explain the similarites and differences in order to guide future research in each area. Applies the theory to the production and marketing of crack cocaine and shows how the model helps us to understand issues of exploitation and risk makagement within the drug market.
STUDIES ON THE PROTEIN CONFORMATION OF PHYTOCHROME

— The extinction coefficients for large rye phytochrome were found to be: Fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra of large- and small-molecular-weight rye phytochrome give no evidence for a protein conformational change on phototransformation of phytochrome. The large molecule has a fluorescence emission peak at 331 nm when excited at 290 nm, and an excitation peak for this emission at 288 nm. The circular dichroism spectra indicate that large rye phytochrome has about 17–20% a-helix content, 30%β-structure and 50% random coil, and that the small rye phytochrome has about 10–13%α-helix content. The ultraviolet difference spectra for large and small rye phytochrome are similar and differ from the difference spectrum of the small oat phytochrome in the relative size of the 296–298 nm peak. The difference spectra may reflect changes in chromophore absorbance and in the environment of amino acid residues near the chromophore, particularly of tyrosine, and perhaps of tryptophan and cysteine.
On Transferring Model Theoretic Theorems of $${\mathcal{L}_{{\infty},\omega}}$$ in the Category of Sets to a Fixed Grothendieck Topos

Working in a fixed Grothendieck topos Sh(C, JC) we generalize \({\mathcal{L}_{{\infty},\omega}}\) to allow our languages and formulas to make explicit reference to Sh(C, JC). We likewise generalize the notion of model. We then show how to encode these generalized structures by models of a related sentence of \({\mathcal{L}_{{\infty},\omega}}\) in the category of sets and functions. Using this encoding we prove analogs of several results concerning \({\mathcal{L}_{{\infty},\omega}}\), such as the downward Lowenheim–Skolem theorem, the completeness theorem and Barwise compactness.
Decreased hepatic ALT synthesis is an outcome of subchronic microcystin-LR toxicity.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT; EC 2.6.1.2) is important for the transamination of amino acids and is also an important serum marker of hepatic damage. However, we had previously shown that hepatic ALT activity decreases with subchronic exposure to the hepatotoxin, microcystin-LR (MCLR), a potent inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A. These previous findings suggest that one outcome of subchronic MCLR toxicosis is decreased ALT synthesis by hepatocytes. This could affect the diagnostic sensitivity of serum ALT activity and metabolic processes within the cell. This study was done to investigate the mechanism by which ALT activity decreases following prolonged MCLR exposure. Immunoblots were first performed on liver tissue from 12 Harlan-Sprague-Dawley rats that had been treated with 0, 16, 32, or 48 microg/kg of microcystin-LR per day by continuous intraperitoneal infusion for 28 days. These revealed a dose-dependent decrease in ALT protein concentrations that correlated directly with hepatic ALT activity (r = 0.8132; P = 0.0013). Sixteen additional rats, treated with the same doses of MCLR showed a dose-dependent decrease in hepatic ALT activity to approximately 19% of values in saline-treated controls. Northern blot analysis revealed a decrease in hepatic ALT mRNA that correlated directly to hepatic ALT activity (r = 0.7909; P = 0.0004). It was concluded that subchronic MCLR exposure causes decreased hepatic ALT protein and mRNA concentrations. These findings suggest that one sequela of MCLR toxicosis is decreased hepatic ALT synthesis.
Triple blowout fracture of the orbit

We describe a case of traumatic orbital fracture involving the superior, medial, and inferior walls with preserved orbital rim. This “triple blowout” fracture has not been previously reported. There was no damage to the globe or the optic nerve and the patient had an excellent recovery with minimal residual diplopia.
Predictors of Short-Term (Seven-Day) Cardiac Outcomes After Emergency Department Visit for Syncope

Syncope is a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, and patients are often admitted to exclude syncope of cardiovascular origin. Population-based data on patterns and predictors of cardiac outcomes may improve decision-making. Our objective was to identify patterns and predictors of short-term cardiac outcomes in ED patients with syncope. Administrative data from an integrated health system of 11 Southern California EDs were used to identify cardiac outcomes after ED presentation for syncope from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005. Syncope and cause of death were identified by codes from the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision. Cardiac outcomes included cardiac death and hospitalization or procedure consistent with ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, or arrhythmia. Predictors of cardiac outcomes were identified through multivariate logistic regression. There were 35,330 adult subjects who accounted for 39,943 ED visits for syncope. Risk of cardiac outcome sharply decreased following the 7 days after syncope. A 7-day cardiac outcome occurred in 893 cases (3%). Positive predictors of 7-day cardiac outcomes included age > or =60 years, male gender, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, and valvular heart disease. Negative predictors included dementia, pacemaker, coronary revascularization, and cerebrovascular disease. There was an age-dependent relation between 7-day cardiac outcomes and arrhythmia and valvular disease, with younger patients (<60 years of age) having greater risk of an event compared to their same-age counterparts. In conclusion, ED decision-making should focus on risk of cardiac event in the first 7 days after syncope and special attention should be given to younger patients with cardiac co-morbidities.
Charged-Higgs-loop contribution to the electric dipole moment of the electron

Abstract We evaluate the charged-Higgs-loop contribution to the electric dipole moment of the electron in a two-Higgs-doublet model with a soft symmetry breaking term.
Passive transfer of antibodies of maternal origin from blood to cerebrospinal fluid in infants

Abstract The demonstration that specific IgM antibodies are present in the serum of infants is useful in the diagnosis of several congenital infections. However, it is less certain whether the detection of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) of infants indicates congenital infection of the central nervous system, because the origins of such antibodies have not been established. In the present study diphtheria and tetanus antitoxins of maternal origin have been detected both in the serum and in the c.s.F. of infants. These observations suggest that an important source of immunoglobulins in C.S.F. is passive transfer of antibodies from serum which should be considered in interpreting serological studies with C.S.F.
The Family Liaison Position in High-Poverty, Urban Schools:

This study examined the roles and responsibilities of family liaisons working in urban schools with enrollments characterized by high poverty, high mobility, and ethnic diversity. Results indicated...
T cell development and function in CrkL-deficient mice.

The adapter protein CrkL has been implicated in multiple signal transduction pathways in hematopoietic cells. In T lymphocytes, the recruitment of CrkL-C3G complexes has been correlated with hyporesponsiveness, implicating CrkL as a potential negative regulator. To test this hypothesis we examined T cell activation in CrkL-deficient mice. The CrkL–/– genotype was partially embryonic lethal. In viable CrkL–/– mice, peripheral blood counts were normal. The thymus from CrkL–/– mice had 40% fewer cells compared to littermates, but the proportion of thymocyte subsets was comparable. There was no discernable alteration in T cell function as reflected by T cell numbers, expression of memory markers, IL-2 production, proliferation, and differentiation into Th1/Th2 phenotypes. Immunization induced comparable levels of IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies. Chimeric mice, generated by transfer of CrkL–/– fetal liver cells into irradiated RAG2–/– recipients, also showed normal T cell function, arguing against selection via partial embryonic lethality. Our results indicate that CrkL is not absolutely required for T cell development or function, and argue against it being an essential component of a negative regulatory pathway in TCR signaling.
An experimental study of open-source cloud platforms for dust storm forecasting

Cloud computing is becoming a viable computing solution for scientific research and several open-source cloud solutions are available to support scientific studies. However, little has been done to systematically investigate the performance of these solutions in supporting scientific pursuits. Taking dust storm forecasting as an example, we test three popular open-source cloud solutions, namely Eucalyptus, OpenNebula, and CloudStack, on the same hardware and compare against a bare cluster. We find that: (1) compared to the bare cluster, a cloud has about 10% virtualization and management overhead when one virtual machine is used. Overhead increases when more virtual machines are used. Leveraging more virtual resources would not necessarily yield better performance. (2) For computing- and communication-intensive dust storm forecasting, the performance overhead is mainly due to virtualized network rather than virtualized computing resources when more than one virtual machine is involved. (3) Compared to Eucalyptus and CloudStack, OpenNebula provides better support for dust storm forecasting with relatively better performance. The results can provide some insights for scientific community in adopting these open-source cloud solutions.
Application of symmetric redundant residues for fast and reliable arithmetic

Despite difficulties in general division, magnitude comparison, and sign detection, residue number system arithmetic has been used for many special-purpose systems in light of its parallelism and modularity for the most common arithmetic operations of addition/subtraction and multiplication. Computation in RNS requires modular reduction, both for the initial conversion from binary to RNS and after each operation to bring the result back to within a valid residue range. Use of redundant residues simplifies this critical operation, leading to even faster arithmetic. One type of redundant mod- m residue, that keeps the representational redundancy to the minimum of 1 bit per residue, has the nearly symmetric range (- m , m ) and allows two values for each pseudoresidue: 〈 x 〉 m or 〈 x 〉 m - m . We study the extent of simplification and speed-up in the modular reduction process afforded by such redundant residues and discuss its potential implications to the design of RNS arithmetic circuits. In particular, we show that besides cost and performance benefits, introduction of error checking and fault tolerance in arithmetic computations is facilitated when such redundant residues are used.
Spatial filtering of electron micrographs of negatively stained α-amylase crystals

Abstract Images of the α-amylase molecule from pig pancreas have been obtained in two projections by the application of spatial filtering techniques to electron micrographs of negatively stained microcrystals of the enzyme. The Fourier filtering was performed on a PPD 11 40 digital computer after microdensitometry on an Optronics P-1000 photoscan system. The set of procedures and programs we employed are described herein. We compared these images with equivalent images obtained by three-dimensional X-ray diffraction analysis using conventional isomorphous replacement at approximately twice the resolution. We find that there is quite good agreement between the two kinds of images, and that a number of gross structural features compare quite well. We conclude that the combination of electron microscopy with digital spatial filtering when applied to protein microcrystals yields very respectable results.
What psychology students know and believe about Charles Darwin.

Summary.-204 introductory and 154 advanced students in psychology were asked about their knowledge of Charles Danvin and endorsement of behef statements about the starus of evoludonary theory. Advanced students had higher scores than introductory students on three of six multiple-choice knowledge items and differed from them on all six statements of belief as assessed by x2. Advanced students appear to know more about evoluuonary theory but may be less inclined to endorse its relevancy to psychology. The work and life of Charles Danvin is discussed in most introductory psychology textbooks and in many advanced courses in psychology; it may form a core unit in a s Buss, 1995; Gray, 1996; Sulloway, 1996) included the argument that the full consequences of Danvin theory for psychology are yet to be realized. Evolutionary theory is central to contemporary psychology, but how well is it understood and subscribed to by psychology majors? Previous surveys of college students' attitudes toward Charles Darwin and evolutionary theory have yielded results consistent with national trends. In the only recent study, Lord and Marino (1993) found that 72% of 392 college students endorsed a belief in the modern theory of evolution. The percentage of students with evolutionary views increased from the freshman year (in wh~ch 60% held the position) to the senior year (by which it was 80%). Nearly one-third of the students held creationist views. Unfortunately these authors d~d not examine the relationship between academic major and beliefs or assess students' knowledge. In fact, in no reports were both knowledge and opinions of psychology majors about evolutionary theory studied. The present study sampled undergraduate students in introductory and advanced courses to assess what they knew about Darwin and what belief statements concerning evolutionary theory they would endorse. Understand
Fourier Transform Spectrometer for the 1 to 10mm region

A Fourier Transform Spectrometer using a 250 Watt Mercury lamp, a lamellar grating and a pumped He-cooled detector is applied to the millimeter wave spectral region. The pure rotation spectrum of CH2F, the transmission of graphite particles in a cloud chamber, the interference on round copper dots and the absorption of iron whiskers have been observed.
Enhanced Cellular Functions on Polycaprolactone Tissue Scaffolds by O2 Plasma Surface Modification

This paper reports a study of using an oxygen-based plasma modification to alter physicochemical properties of three-dimensional (3D) PCL scaffolds and to improve mouse osteoblast cells attachment, proliferation, and osteoblastic differentiation. Different plasma modification times (1, 3, and 5-min) and their effects on surface physicochemical properties were measured by contact angle measurement, surface energy calculation (Owens‐Wendth Method), surface chemistry (XPS), and the surface topography (AFM). The effect of oxygen-based plasma modification on attachment, proliferation, and osteoblastic differentiation were examined by shear flow assay, alamarBlue assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and osteoblastic differentiation markers. Results of the contact angle measurement, total solid surface energy, surface chemistry, and roughness revealed that oxygen-based plasma modification increased surface hydrophilicity, total surface energy, total amount of oxygen containing groups, and the surface roughness. A positive effect of plasma modification on cell proliferation on 3D PCL scaffolds was observed at the osteoblastic differentiation stage which was evaluated by the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin protein secretion, and calcium mineralization. The higher ALP activity and osteocalcin secretion were detected from the cells on 3-min plasma modified PCL surface compared to unmodified samples. The calcium mineralization and SEM micrographs data also showed that there was a higher mineralized matrix deposition on 3-min plasma modified PCL scaffolds compared to unmodified scaffolds. These results suggest that the 3-min plasma modification can accelerate differentiation phase of osteoblast through improving cell‐scaffold interaction.
Youth development through mentorship: A Los Angeles school-based mentorship program among Latino children

Despite higher risk for school failure, few school-based mentoring (SBM) studies have focused on low-income at-risk Latino children. We describe the development and evaluation of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), a sustainable, high-quality, SBM program among urban Latino students. Based on evidence from work in other communities, YEP was created as a partnership between the 4th and 5th grades at a Los Angeles Title I elementary school and university undergraduates. We tested the feasibility of applying a previously validated relationship quality assessment tool in this population. Since 2008, 61 mentor and mentee pairs have participated in YEP, with an average relationship length of 1.5 years. Through 2010, over 95 % of pairs had relationships lasting at least 1 year, while 47 % lasted 2 or more years. Seventy-percent of mentees and 85 % of mentors were female, and an increased trend for early relationship termination was observed among male mentees. Through 2011, relationships lasted under 1 year among 29 % of male mentees compared to 7 % of female mentees (p = 0.15). A previously validated relationship quality assessment tool was easily incorporated into YEP, with relationships exhibiting youth-centeredness, emotional engagement and low dissatisfaction. After 5 years, YEP has become a feasible and sustainable SBM program providing long-term relationships for low-income Latino children. These relationships may improve youth health through fewer risky behaviors and attitude improvements. Future work should focus on supporting male mentors and mentees.
Multiple crossing sequential fixed-size confidence region methodologies for a multivariate normal mean vector

Abstract The asymptotically efficient and asymptotically consistent purely sequential procedure of Mukhopadhyay and Al-Mousawi (1986) is customarily used to construct a confidence region R for the mean vector μ of N p ( μ , σ 2 H ) . This procedure does not have the exact consistency property. H p × p is assumed known and positive definite with σ 2 unknown. The maximum diameter of R and the confidence coefficient are prefixed. A purely sequential sampling strategy is proposed allowing sampling until sample size crosses the boundary multiple times. We ascertain asymptotic efficiency and asymptotic consistency properties ( Theorem 3.1 ). Its ability to nearly achieve required coverage probability without significant over-sampling is demonstrated with simulations. A truncation technique plus fine-tuning of the multiple crossing rule are proposed to increase practicality. Two real data illustrations are highlighted.
Having Our Dogs and Eating Them Too: Why Animals Are a Social Issue

Until recently, the study of people's relationships and interactions with other (nonhuman) animals has received scant attention from the social sciences. The preceding articles in this issue illustrate some of the important insights such studies can bring to the field. Animals, by their nature, occupy an intermediate boundary zone between the world of human subjects and the world of insensate objects or “things.” This ambiguity allows us to exploit most of them with relative impunity, while simultaneously endowing some of them with the status of quasi-human social partners or even kin. It also confronts us with fundamental questions about what it means to be “human” and how far, if at all, our moral responsibilities should extend beyond the taxonomic limits of our species. Our efforts to reconcile these competing and opposing perspectives have generated extraordinary inconsistencies in attitudes and behavior toward animals: inconsistencies that pose significant challenges to current understandings of human psychology, sociology, and morality.
Automated High-throughput Behavioral Analyses in Zebrafish Larvae

We have created a novel high-throughput imaging system for the analysis of behavior in 7-day-old zebrafish larvae in multi-lane plates. This system measures spontaneous behaviors and the response to an aversive stimulus, which is shown to the larvae via a PowerPoint presentation. The recorded images are analyzed with an ImageJ macro, which automatically splits the color channels, subtracts the background, and applies a threshold to identify individual larvae placement in the lanes. We can then import the coordinates into an Excel sheet to quantify swim speed, preference for edge or side of the lane, resting behavior, thigmotaxis, distance between larvae, and avoidance behavior. Subtle changes in behavior are easily detected using our system, making it useful for behavioral analyses after exposure to environmental toxicants or pharmaceuticals.
Tornwaldt's bursa

Tornwaldt's bursa results from the embryological relationship of the notochord to the developing foregut. Its embryology and anatomical location is separate from Rathke's pouch which is the primordial anterior hypophysis. Trauma and subsequent inflammation of the defect leads to a complex of symptoms known as 'Tornwaldt's disease' which may be quite confusing to the clinician. Appropriate therapy which includes excision or marsupialization of the cyst will provide complete relief of the symptoms. The embryology, anatomy and therapy of this entity are discussed in detail. Other abnormalities which may mimic Tornwaldt's disease are described along with an embryological and histological differentiation.