cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-temperature plasma-assisted oxidation of Si: a new approach for creation of device-quality SiSiO2 interfaces with deposited dielectrics for applications in Si MOSFET technologies

Abstract Stacked-gates incorporating thin SiSiO2 heterostructures by combinations of plasma-assisted and rapid thermal processing were fabricated. A pre-deposition low- temperature, 300°C, plasma-assisted oxidation step which (i) removes residual C-atom contamination and (ii) generates ∼ 0.5–0.6 nm of oxide which serves as a platform for the SiO2 deposition, also produces an SiSiO2 interface with electrical properties equivalent to interfaces formed by conventional furnace thermal oxidation of Si. This pre-deposition oxidation step has been integrated into a process for fabricating MOS devices, which has also be extended to include oxynitride and oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) dielectrics.
Using Frankl's concepts with PTSD clients

Viktor Frankl was one of the first mental health professionals who worked with and wrote about victims of trauma and terror. His existential treatment approach with Nazi death camp survivors has considerable value and usefulness with other kinds of PTSD clients. In Franklian psychotherapy, the PTSD client is helped to remember the details of their trauma experiences to identify meaning opportunities embedded in memories of trauma and terror and to make use of such meaning opportunities for self-transcendent giving to the world.
DNA Strand Invasion Promoted by Escherichia coli RecT Protein

The RecT protein of Escherichia coli is a DNA-pairing protein required for the RecA-independent recombination events promoted by the RecE pathway. The RecT protein was found to bind to both single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the absence of Mg2+. In the presence of Mg2+, RecT binding to dsDNA was inhibited drastically, whereas binding to ssDNA was inhibited only to a small extent. RecT promoted the transfer of a single-stranded oligonucleotide into a supercoiled homologous duplex to form a D (displacement)-loop. D-loop formation occurred in the absence of Mg2+ and at 1 mM Mg2+ but was inhibited by increasing concentrations of Mg2+ and did not require a high energy cofactor. Strand transfer was mediated by a RecT-ssDNA nucleoprotein complex reacting with a naked duplex DNA and was prevented by the formation of RecT-dsDNA nucleoprotein complexes. Finally, RecT mediated the formation of joint molecules between a supercoiled DNA and a linear dsDNA substrate with homologous 3'-single-stranded tails. Together these results indicate that RecT is not a helix-destabilizing protein promoting a reannealing reaction but rather is a novel type of pairing protein capable of promoting recombination by a DNA strand invasion mechanism. These results are consistent with the observation that RecE (exonuclease VIII) and RecT can promote RecA-independent double-strand break repair in E. coli.
The development of a medium throughput assay for lanosterol synthase from Leptosphaeria nodorum : Comparison of the enzyme from L. nodorum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and two species of Fusarium

Abstract Lanosterol synthase (LS) was isolated from microsomes from the plant pathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria nodorum (L. nodorum) and characterized with respect to its physical and kinetic properties. A medium throughput radiometric assay was developed for LS in order to screen potential inhibitors and to determine its kinetic properties. Quantification of LS activity relies on the separation of (±)2,3-oxidosqualene from lanosterol by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) followed by analysis in a flow scintillation counter. LS from L. nodorum has an apparent Km (oxidosqualene) of 43 μM and an apparent native molecular weight of 150 kDa as determined by size exclusion chromatography. L. nodorum LS was compared to LS from Fusarium culmorum (F. culmorum), Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) for kinetic properties and inhibitory activity of a known LS inhibitor (4-bromophenyl)[2-fluoro-4-[[6-(methyl-2-propenylamino)hexyl]oxy]phenyly]-methanone (compound 1) and a derivative of this inhibitor (compound 2). While the Km (oxidosqualene) was similar for LS from all four organisms, there were differences in the activity of the two inhibitors against LS from these species. The characteristics of the assay and its use for screening molecules to find fungal inhibitors are described. To compare the biological activity of the inhibitors with their activity against LS, they were tested to determine the extent to which they suppressed the growth of L. nodorum and F. culmorum. The results suggest that the fungicidal activity of these inhibitors is related to their inhibitory effect on LS.
Psychotropic Medication Use Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Enrolled in a National Registry, 2007–2008

Patterns of current psychotropic medication use among 5,181 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) enrolled in a Web-based registry were examined. Overall, 35% used at least one psychotropic medication, most commonly stimulants, neuroleptics, and/or antidepressants. Those who were uninsured or exclusively privately insured were less likely to use ≥3 medications than were those insured by Medicaid. Psychiatrists and neurologists prescribed the majority of psychotropic medications. In multivariate analysis, older age, presence of intellectual disability or psychiatric comorbidity, and residing in a poorer county or in the South or Midwest regions of the United States increased the odds of psychotropic medication use. Factors external to clinical presentation likely affect odds of psychotropic medication use among children with ASD.
Enhancement of Cathepsin B Activity in Irradiated Mouse Testes

The irradiation of mouse testes at 600 rads is accompanied by extensive tissue destruction which ultimately results in a 70% loss of organ weight but displays appreciable recovery which is usually complete by week 18. The attrition phase of testicular weight is concurrent with a conspicuous elevation in cathepsin B activity. This is interpreted to reflect the extensive proteolysis that must form the basis for such tissue weight loss. The recovery period, in contrast, is characterized by an attenuation in the activity of the enzyme. Further analyses reveal that the rise in hydrolytic activity is not due to lysosomal membrane breakage. Nor does it seem to be related to an increase in the number of lysosomes. Instead, our data are more consistent with the contention that the rise in cathepsin B activity may be associated with an increase in protein synthesis. As a result, some lysosomes may contain a larger number of enzyme molecules. This hypothesis is supported by our demonstration that radiation induces a distinct shift in the density of lysosomes toward the heavier components. The significance of such radiation-induced enhancement of protein synthesis in terms of a general response of tissues to radiation damage is discussed.
Complications of enzymatic debridement in pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchopleural fistula.

The use of trypsin to digest the exudate of tuberculous and nontuberculous empyema has been reported by Roettig, Reiser, Habeeb and Mark’ as an effective means of preparing the patient for re-expansion of the lung, decortication, or pneumonectomy. On occasion, empyema has been sterilized of tubercle bacilli by this method. Our experience with enzymatic debridement in tuberculous patients with bronchopleural fistula and empyema has been unfortunate. Three cases are reported in which serious complications occurred as a direct result of this treatment. The effects of enzymatic therapy in six other cases will be summarIzed. Trypsin was employed in all cases. The combination of streptokinase and streptodornase with trypsin was used in a few of the treatments in three cases.
Tight Coupling of GPS and INS for Urban Navigation

A multi-sensor integrated solution that combines complementary features of the Global Positioning System (GPS), laser scanner, and inertial navigation system (INS) for navigation in challenging urban environments is developed. GPS and the laser scanner-based techniques exhibit complementary features in urban scenarios. The laser scanner-based navigation relies on the availability of structures (lines and surfaces) within the scan range (80 m, typically). Features (such as lines) are first extracted from laser scan images and then used for position and attitude determination. If there is a building wall that blocks the GPS signal, this wall creates a feature in the laser scan image. Vice-versa, for open streets with limited features, the GPS signal is generally unobstructed. Thus the GPS and laser data are combined into an integrated solution architecture. The system architecture developed also exploits INS navigation states for improved solution robustness, e.g., for robust feature association between scan images and for coasting through cases where an insufficient number of combined GPS/laser measurements is available. A tightly coupled GPS/laser scanner INS mechanization is developed and applied for trajectory reconstruction. Actual urban data is used to demonstrate performance characteristics of the multi-sensor integrated solution that is developed.
Diffuse gamma rays from the Galactic Plane: Probing the “GeV excess” and identifying the “TeV excess”

Abstract Pion decay gamma rays have long been recognized as a unique signature of hadronic cosmic rays and their interactions with the interstellar medium. We present a model-independent way of constraining this signal with observations of the Galactic Plane in diffuse gamma rays. We combine detections by the EGRET instrument at GeV energies and the Milagro Cerenkov detector at TeV energies with upper limits from KASCADE and CASA-MIA ground arrays at PeV energies. Such a long “lever arm”, spanning at least six orders of magnitude in energy, reveals a “TeV excess” in the diffuse Galactic Plane gamma-ray spectrum. While the origin of this excess is unknown, it likely implies also enhanced TeV neutrino fluxes, significantly improving the prospects for their detection. We show that unresolved point sources are a possible source of the TeV excess. In fact, the spectra of the unidentified EGRET sources in the Milagro region must break between ∼10 GeV and ∼1 TeV to avoid strongly overshooting the Milagro measurement; this may have important implications for cosmic-ray acceleration. Finally, we use our approach to examine the recent suggestion that dark-matter annihilation may account for the observed excess in diffuse Galactic gamma-rays detected by EGRET at energies above 1 GeV. Within our model-independent approach, current data cannot rule this possibility in or out; however we point out how a long “lever arm” can be used to constrain the pionic gamma-ray component and in turn limit the “GeV excess” and its possible sources. Experiments such as HESS and MAGIC, and the upcoming VERITAS and GLAST, should be able to finally disentangle the main sources of the Galactic gamma rays.
Incidence of Metastatic Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Outside the Boundaries of a Modified Postchemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

Introduction Modified template retroperitoneal lymph node dissections (RPLND) have become increasing applied in the postchemotherapy (PC) setting. We evaluated our experience with PC-RPLND to determine the incidence of disease extending outside the boundaries of a modified PC-RPLND. Patients and Methods From 1989 through 2003, a total of 532 men underwent PC-RPLND for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Of these, 269 (51%) had either viable germ cell tumor (GCT) or teratoma present in the RPLND specimen. After Institutional Review Board approval, clinical and pathologic data were obtained from our prospective surgical database. The incidence of retroperitoneal disease outside the boundaries of five modified templates was reported for the presence of viable GCT or teratoma. Results Of the 269 patients with viable GCT or teratoma, 20 to 86 (7% to 32%) patients had evidence of extratemplate retroperitoneal disease, depending on the boundaries of the modified template. There was no difference ...
The alternatively initiated c-Myc proteins differentially regulate transcription through a noncanonical DNA-binding site.

The myc proto-oncogene family has been implicated in multiple cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The Myc proteins, as heterodimers with Max protein, have been shown to function as activators of transcription through an E-box DNA-binding element, CACGTG. We have now found that the c-Myc proteins regulate transcription through another, noncanonical, DNA sequence. The non-AUG-initiated form of the c-Myc protein, c-Myc 1, strongly and specifically activates transcription of the C/EBP sequences within the EFII enhancer element of the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat. In contrast, comparable amounts of the AUG-initiated form, c-Myc 1, fail to significantly affect enhancer activity. However, both c-Myc proteins trflns-activate the CACGTG sequence comparably. In addition, Myc/Max heterodimers, but not Max homodimers, bind to the EFII enhancer sequence in vitro. Finally, c-Myc 1 overexptession, but not c-Myc 2 overexpression, significantly inhibits cell growth. These results reveal new transcriptional activities for the Myc proteins and demonstrate that the different forms of the Myc protein are functionally distinct. These results also suggest an interplay between two different growth regulatory transcription factor families.
Genetic Contributions to Antisocial Personality and Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review From an Evolutionary Perspective

Evidence from behavioral genetics supports the conclusion that a significant amount of the variance in antisocial personality and behavior (APB) is due to genetic contributions. Many scientific fields such as psychology, medicine, and criminal justice struggle to incorporate this information with preexisting paradigms that focused exclusively on external or learned etiology of antisocial behavior. The current paper presents a meta-analytic review of behavioral genetic etiological studies of APB. Results indicated that 56% of the variance in APB can be explained through genetic influences, with 11% due to shared non-genetic influences, and 31% due to unique non-genetic influences. This data is discussed in relation to evolutionary psychological theory.
Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations

Discussed several issues related to psychological empowerment. The thesis of this paper is that the development of a universal and global measure of psychological empowerment may not be a feasible or appropriate goal. I begin by distinguishing between empowerment processes and outcomes. Underlying assumptions are discussed including the notion that empowerment differs across people, contexts, and times. A nomological network that includes intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral components is also presented. Two examples of psychological empowerment for voluntary service organization members and members of a mutual help organization are described to help illustrate differences in the specific variables that may be used to measure psychological empowerment in different populations and settings.
Probabilistic Compensation for Digital Filters Using Pervasive Noise-Induced Operator Errors

It is well known that scaled CMOS technologies are increasingly susceptible to induced soft errors and environmental noise. Probabilistic checksum-based error detection and compensation has been proposed in the past for scaled DSP circuits for which a certain level of inaccuracy can be tolerated as long as system-level quality-of-service (QoS) metrics are satisfied. Although the technique has been shown to be effective in improving the SNR of digital filters, it can only handle errors that occur in the system states. However, the transient-error rate of combinational logic is increasing with technology scaling. Therefore, handling errors in the arithmetic logic circuitry of DSP systems is also essential. This is a significantly more difficult task due to the fact that a single error at the output of an adder or multiplier can propagate to more than one system state causing multiple states to be erroneous. In this paper, a unified scheme that can address probabilistic compensation for errors both in the system states and in the embedded adders and multipliers of DSP filters is developed. It is shown that by careful checksum code design, significant SNR improvements (up to 13 dB) can be obtained for linear filters in the presence of soft errors.
Anisotropic-medium PML for vector FETD with modified basis functions

A novel anisotropic-medium perfectly matched layer (PML) implementation is presented for boundary truncation in the three-dimensional vector finite-element time-domain (FETD) method. This approach utilizes a complex set of vector test and basis functions in the PML region, that recover the usual basis functions in the non-PML region. Numerical examples show that the proposed PML-FETD approach has small reflection errors and no observed late-time instabilities for simulations involving up to 10/sup 6/ time steps.
Protection of Hepatocytes with Hyperoxia against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Injury*

Hyperbaric oxygen (HPO) was administered to rats (100% O2 at 2.8 atm for 90 min) immediately or 1 hr after severe carbon tetrachloride (CCI,) intoxication in order to study the mechanisms of protection against hepatocellular injury by hyperoxia. Slight to moderate hepatocellular injury was observed, particularly by morphologic criteria, 4 hr after CCI, intoxication. little cell death was observed; 24 hr after CCI,, 20% of the untreated animals died. In the survivors, the following typical changes occurred in the liver: extensive hepatocellular swelling, vacuolization and necrosis; severe ultrastructural alterations; binding of CCI, to microsomal lipids; elevation of lipid peroxidation products (conjugated dienes); little decrease in cytochrome b, and severe decrease in cytochrome P-450 levels. Serum transaminase (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) levels were elevated. Immediate treatment with HPO prevented the mortality and markedly decreased the hepatocellular necrosis 24 hr after intoxication. Immediate HPO treatment did not lower the levels of free CCl, in the liver. However, the rise in lipid peroxidation products caused by CCI4 intoxication at 4 hr was reduced. Delayed treatment with HPO (1 hr after CCI,) prevented the mortality but was less effective in preventing necrosis. Some hepatocellular protection was still demonstrable. In particular, the rise in lipid peroxidation products was reduced. Hyperoxia protects hepatocytes against CCI, toxicity. The rapid decline in protective effect within 60 min of intoxication suggests that hyperoxia inhibits CCI, activation and/or damage from molecular intermediates. Hyperoxia has little effect on the progression of sublethal injury to cell death in the livers of CC14-intoxicated rats.
Non-Markov stochastic processes satisfying equations usually associated with a Markov process

There are non-Markov Ito processes that satisfy the Fokker-Planck, backward time Kolmogorov, and Chapman-Kolmogorov equations. These processes are non-Markov in that they may remember an initial condition formed at the start of the ensemble. Some may even admit 1-point densities that satisfy a nonlinear 1-point diffusion equation. However, these processes are linear, the Fokker-Planck equation for the conditional density (the 2-point density) is linear. The memory may be in the drift coefficient (representing a flow), in the diffusion coefficient, or in both. We illustrate the phenomena via exactly solvable examples. In the last section we show how such memory may appear in cooperative phenomena.
Estimating the tensor of curvature of a surface from a polyhedral approximation

Estimating principal curvatures and principal directions of a surface from a polyhedral approximation with a large number of small faces, such as those produced by iso-surface construction algorithms, has become a basic step in many computer vision algorithms, particularly in those targeted at medical applications. We describe a method to estimate the tensor of curvature of a surface at the vertices of a polyhedral approximation. Principal curvatures and principal directions are obtained by computing in closed form the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of certain 3/spl times/3 symmetric matrices defined by integral formulas, and closely related to the matrix representation of the tensor of curvature. The resulting algorithm is linear, both in time and in space, as a function of the number of vertices and faces of the polyhedral surface. >
biomimetic Hydrogel/apatite Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

Bone is a composite material consisting of aqueous gel and mineral phases. The aqueous gel phase gives bone its form and contributes to its ability to resist tension, while the mineral component resists compression. The combination of a hard inorganic phase and an elastic gel network provides bone with unique mechanical properties as well as a medium for diffusion and release of biologically active agents and it also facilitates communication with the cellular environment. A tissue engineered synthetic biomaterial as a scaffold for bone regeneration should provide temporary structural support to the reconstructed region and a medium for solubilization, diffusion, release of nutrients and growth factors, and their interactions with cells. In this work, the material and biologic properties of a novel synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradable hydrogel/apatite nanocomposite is investigated for its usefulness as a model matrix to mimic the gel and mineral components of the bone matrix and to fabricate aqueous-based scaffolds for bone regeneration. The gel phase is made from poly(lactide-ethylene oxide-fumarate), hereafter designated as PLEOF, terpolymer in which the water content can be adjusted by changing the ratio of the hydrophobic (lactide) to hydrophilic (ethylene oxide) oligomers. The hydrogel and apatite phases are crosslinked using an MMP degradable peptide crosslinker to modulate the matrix degradation kinetics with the migration of bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells. The results demonstrate that MMP degradable scaffolds fabricated from the PLEOF hydrogel and apatite nanoparticles are biocompatible and support cell attachment and migration.
Background-error correlation model based on the implicit solution of a diffusion equation

An efficient implementation of background-error correlation modeling for ocean data assimilation based on the implicit solution of a diffusion equation is presented in this work. This study is an extension of Weaver and Courtier (2001), which sought to model error correlations based on the explicit solution of a generalized diffusion equation. The implicit solution is unconditionally stable, therefore larger time steps can be used in the calculation than in the explicit solution, which needs smaller time steps to maintain stability. This is especially true when modeling anisotropic correlations, or when using a non-uniform model grid (e.g. curvilinear grid spacing). Both implicit and explicit methods are tested in terms of numerical efficiency and practical implementation. To that end, a set of simulated and real data assimilation experiments are carried out using a three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) algorithm that has been developed as a test-bed for these correlation models. The results of both the implicit and explicit method are compared to show that while the implicit method provides the same correlation shape, size, and magnitude as the explicit, it does so at a much lower computational cost. For the experiments shown here the implicit solution can be up to five times as efficient in terms of CPU time than the explicit, while also providing a nearly identical analysis and forecast in terms of deviation from independent observations.
Intentional intrathecal opioid detoxification in 3 patients: characterization of the intrathecal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Objective: Intrathecal (IT) drug delivery systems for patients with chronic non-malignant pain are intended to improve pain and quality of life and reduce side effects of systemic use. A subset of patients may have escalating pain, functional decline, and/or intolerable side effects even as IT opioid doses are increased. Discontinuation of IT medications may represent a viable treatment option but strategies to accomplish this are needed. Subjects and Interventions: Three patients with intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS), inadequate pain control, and declining functionality underwent abrupt IT opioid cessation. This was accomplished through a standardized protocol with symptom-triggered administration of clonidine and buprenorphine, monitored using the clinical opiate withdrawal scale. Results: Symptoms of IT withdrawal were similar in all patients and included diuresis, agitation, hyperalgesia, mild diarrhea, yawning, and taste and smell aversion. Hypertension and tachycardia were effectively controlled by clonidine administration. Classic symptoms of withdrawal, such as piloerection, chills, severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, myoclonus, and mydriasis, were not noted. At 2 to 3 months follow-up, patients reported decreased, but ongoing pain, with improvements in functional capacity and quality of life. Conclusions: This preliminary work demonstrates the safety of abrupt IT opioid cessation utilizing standardized inpatient withdrawal protocols. To our knowledge, these are among the first reported cases of intentional, controlled IT opioid cessation without initiation of an opioid bridge: self-reported pain scores, functional capacity, and quality of life improved. The IT opioid withdrawal syndrome is characterized based upon our observations and a review of the literature.
Optimal power flow with large-scale storage integration

Restructuring of the electric power industry along with mandates to integrate renewable energy sources is introducing new challenges for the electric power system. Intermittent power sources, in particular, require mitigation strategies in order to maintain consistent power on the electric grid. We investigate distributed energy storage as one such strategy. Our model for optimal power flow with storage augments the usual formulation by adding simple charge/discharge dynamics for energy storage collocated with load and/or generation buses cast as a finite-time optimal control problem. We first propose a solution strategy that uses a convex optimization based relaxation to solve the optimal control problem. We then use this framework to illustrate the effects of various levels of energy storage using the topology of IEEE benchmark systems along with both time-invariant and demand-based cost functions. The addition of energy storage and demand-based cost functions significantly reduces the generation costs and flattens the generation profiles.
Navigation of mobile robots using a fuzzy behaviorist approach and custom-designed fuzzy inferencing boards *

Two types of computer boards incorporating recently developed VLSI fuzzy inferencing chips have been developed to support the addition of qualitative reasoning capabilities to the real-time control of robotic systems. The design and operation of these boards are first reviewed and their use, in conjunction with our proposed Fuzzy Behaviorist approach, is discussed. This approach uses superposition of elemental sensor-based behaviors expressed in the Fuzzy Sets theoretic framework, to emulate "human-like" reasoning inrobotic systems.
Chronic tobacco smoke exposure increases airway sensitivity to capsaicin in awake guinea pigs.

Tobacco smoke (TS) exposure induces airway hyperreactivity, particularly in sensitive individuals with asthma. However, the mechanism of this airway hyperreactivity is not well understood. To inves...
Analysis of Parallel Algorithms for Energy Conservation in Scalable Multicore Architectures

This paper analyzes energy characteristics of parallel algorithms executed on scalable multicore processors. Specifically, we provide a methodology for evaluating energy scalability of parallel algorithms while satisfying performance requirements. Four parallel algorithms are analyzed to illustrate our method. We study the sensitivity of our analysis to changes in parameters such as the ratio of power required for computation versus power required for communication. The results suggest that power and performance scalability of a parallel algorithm can be quite different. Our method can be used to determine how many cores to use in order to minimize energy consumption.
Sialic Acid on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins Is Required for Efficient Infection of Cells

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) envelope proteins are posttranslationally modified by the addition of sialic acids to the termini of the glycan side chains. Although gC, gD, and gH are sialylated, it is not known whether sialic acids on these envelope proteins are functionally important. Digestion of sucrose gradient purified virions for 4 h with neuraminidases that remove both α2,3 and α2,6 linked sialic acids reduced titers by 1,000-fold. Digestion with a α2,3-specific neuraminidase had no effect, suggesting that α2,6-linked sialic acids are required for infection. Lectins specific for either α2,3 or α2,6 linkages blocked attachment and infection to the same extent. In addition, the mobility of gH, gB, and gD in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels was altered by digestion with either α2,3 specific neuraminidase or nonspecific neuraminidases, indicating the presence of both linkages on these proteins. The infectivity of a gC-1-null virus, ΔgC2-3, was reduced to the same extent as wild-type virus after neuraminidase digestion, and attachment was not altered. Neuraminidase digestion of virions resulted in reduced VP16 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting that the block occurred between attachment and entry. These results show for the first time that sialic acids on HSV-1 virions play an important role in infection and suggest that targeting virion sialic acids may be a valid antiviral drug development strategy.
A Review of Church Attendance Measures

Estimates of church attendance rates in the United States differ by the measure used : headcount approaches generate rates about half those of survey-based approaches. Based on a series of experiments conducted on the 1996 General Social Survey (GSS) and a review of other studies and experiments, these differences in church attendance rates seem to result from several factors. First, because of both cognitive processes and social desirability effects, standard survey items yield overreports. Second, people often define attending religious services more broadly than what is tallied by headcounts. Finally, headcounts and survey-based estimates yield different results because of various other factors, such as the difficulty headcounts have in separating adult attendance from total attendance, and their frequent exclusion of non-weekend services
An observer-based protection system for microgrids

Microgrids work in two modes, grid connected and islanded. Short circuit levels in islanded mode tend to be small compared to those in grid connected mode. Moreover, power flows in microgrids are not always unidirectional. For these reasons, it is difficult to protect microgrids with using relaying strategies traditionally used in distribution systems. In this paper, a new technique is presented which uses a state observer as a fault detector and a filter to identify faults that occur within the zone of protection. This system can be centralized or decentralized. It needs only one current measurement and two ends voltage measurements for each zone. Using suitable voltage sensors, and, where available, smart meters to measure voltages, it is possible to devise a low-cost protection system using the proposed approach. The performance of the proposed method in protecting a small test system is demonstrated on a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). The proposed approach is shown to be effective in grid-connected and islanded modes.
A genetic screen for modifiers of Deformed homeotic function identifies novel genes required for head development

Only a few genes have been identified that participate in the developmental pathways which modulate homeotic (HOX) protein specificity or mediate HOX morphogenetic function. To identify more HOX pathway genes, we screened for mutations on loci on the Drosophila second chromosome that interact with the homeotic gene Deformed (Dfd). Genetic and molecular tests on the eight genes isolated in the screen place them in three general categories. Two genes appear to encode trithorax group functions, i.e. they are general activators of Hox gene expression or function. Four genes encode abundant, widely expressed proteins that may be required to mediate Dfd morphogenetic functions in certain tissues, including two genes for collagen IV protein variants. Finally, two of the genes are required for the development of a subset of embryonic Dfd-dependent structures, while leaving many other segmental structures intact. We cloned and characterized one of these two, which we have named apontic (apt). apt is required for the elaboration of dorsal and ventral head structures. It encodes a 484-amino-acid protein with no significant similarity to known protein sequences. The apt transcript pattern is normal in Dfd and Scr mutants, and the Dfd and Scr transcript patterns are normal in apt mutants. We propose that apt acts in parallel to, or as a cofactor with, HOX proteins to regulate homeotic targets in the ventral gnathal region.
Mississippian Plazas, Performances, and Portable Histories

Although plazas have a lengthy and variable history in southeastern North America, by the Mississippian period (ca. 1000–1500 CE), they had assumed some degree of conformity: they were square to rectangular in shape, anchored the approximate center of a settlement, often had additional inclusions such as public buildings or earthen monuments, and were the arenas of secular and religious public activities. We suggest that the importance of these architectural features to Mississippian life ways can be attributed to two characteristics that are widely shared with other cultures that also employed plazas as a form of axis mundi. First, their construction represents an event that arrests temporality and draws attention to their pivotal role in synchronizing ritual life. Second, their relatively open architecture confers them a relational flexibility that allows for the linkage of a wide variety of spaces, things, and beings. A quantitative and qualitative study of 35 Mississippian plazas demonstrates discrepancies from a linear relationship between plaza size and site size that may be related to variation in the kinds of performances that were conducted in these public places at different types of settlements. Despite this variation, the ubiquity of plazas suggests that they were pivotal to the founding of Mississippian places, and may have been important for reestablishing a sense of cosmological order for migrating communities.
Collapse of Unfolded Proteins in a Mixture of Denaturants

Both urea and guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) are frequently used as protein denaturants. Given that proteins generally adopt extended or unfolded conformations in either aqueous urea or GdmCl, one might expect that the unfolded protein chains will remain or become further extended due to the addition of another denaturant. However, a collapse of denatured proteins is revealed using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations when a mixture of denaturants is used. Both hen egg-white lysozyme and protein L are found to undergo collapse in the denaturant mixture. The collapse of the protein conformational ensembles is accompanied by a decreased solubility and increased non-native self-interactions of hydrophobic residues in the urea/GdmCl mixture. The increase of non-native interactions rather than the native contacts indicates that the proteins experience a simple collapse transition from the fully denatured states. During the protein collapse, the relatively stronger denaturant GdmCl displays a higher tendency ...
Consumer-Financed Testing and Rating Agencies

tention of a significant number of people in the marketing field. Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union, Inc., has grown from 55,000 to 500,000 circulation between I945 and I95I. Consumers' Research Bulletin, published by Consumers' Research, Inc., has expanded in the same period from about 50,000 to better than Ioo,ooo circulation. The regular readership of Consumer Reports, alone, is probably in the neighborhood of one and one-half million spending units, or 2? to 3 per cent of the total spending units in the United States economy.' The increasing significance of the consumer agencies warrants attention to their role in the family of marketing institutions, and an evaluation of their ability at the present time to accomplish their purpose of promoting intelligent consumption.
Aberrant Immunity: The Consequences of Overreacting or Underperforming

Aberrant immunity refers to the ability of selected viruses to perturb the adaptive immune response in either of two distinct ways. On the one hand, the virus-specific immune response can cause pathological lesions, while on the other some viruses can suppress or sabotage adaptive immunity. How is this possible and how does it square with the protective action of adaptive immunity? In this chapter, we will present the evidence for these counterintuitive outcomes, explore their mechanisms, and describe examples of human viral diseases caused by aberrant immune responses.
Current concepts of nutritional therapy in chronic renal failure: An update

In recent years, the number of dietitians who look after patients with chronic kidney diseases or on dialysis has increased tremendously. Interest in the subject of dietary treatment in chronic renal failure has become a new frontier in the fields of dietetics and nephrology.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of alumina extraction from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate roasting method

A novel method was developed for extracting alumina (Al2O3) from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate (NH4HSO4) roasting process, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of this method were investigated. The thermodynamic results were verified experimentally. Thermodynamic calculations show that mullite present in the fly ash can react with NH4HSO4 in the 298–723 K range. Process optimization reveals that the extraction rate can reach up to 90.95% when the fly ash reacts with NH4HSO4 at a 1:8 mole ratio of Al2O3/NH4HSO4 at 673 K for 60 min. Kinetic analysis indicates that the NH4HSO4 roasting process follows the shrinking unreacted core model, and inner diffusion through the product layer is the rate-controlling step. The activation energy is calculated to be 16.627 kJ/mol; and the kinetic equation can be expressed as 1 − (2/3)α − (1 − α)2/3 = 0.0374t exp[−16627/(RT)], where α is the extraction rate and t is the roasting temperature.
Use of Video Modeling to Teach Developmentally Appropriate Play With Korean American Children With Autism

Given the increased number of students with disabilities who have culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the United States, there has been growing attention to the cultural responsive...
Genome Evolution in the Obligate but Environmentally Active Luminous Symbionts of Flashlight Fish

The luminous bacterial symbionts of anomalopid flashlight fish are thought to be obligately dependent on their hosts for growth and share several aspects of genome evolution with unrelated obligate symbionts, including genome reduction. However, in contrast to most obligate bacteria, anomalopid symbionts have an active environmental phase that may be important for symbiont transmission. Here we investigated patterns of evolution between anomalopid symbionts compared with patterns in free-living relatives and unrelated obligate symbionts to determine if trends common to obligate symbionts are also found in anomalopid symbionts. Two symbionts, "Candidatus Photodesmus katoptron" and "Candidatus Photodesmus blepharus," have genomes that are highly similar in gene content and order, suggesting genome stasis similar to ancient obligate symbionts present in insect lineages. This genome stasis exists in spite of the symbiont's inferred ability to recombine, which is frequently lacking in obligate symbionts with stable genomes. Additionally, we used genome comparisons and tests of selection to infer which genes may be particularly important for the symbiont's ecology compared with relatives. In keeping with obligate dependence, substitution patterns suggest that most symbiont genes are experiencing relaxed purifying selection compared with relatives. However, genes involved in motility and carbon storage, which are likely to be used outside the host, appear to be under increased purifying selection. Two chemoreceptor chemotaxis genes are retained by both species and show high conservation with amino acid sensing genes, suggesting that the bacteria may actively seek out hosts using chemotaxis toward amino acids, which the symbionts are not able to synthesize.
Rapid ex situ culture of N-fixing soil lichens and biocrusts is enhanced by complementarity

Rehabilitation of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in degraded drylands may facilitate ecosystem recovery. In order to rehabilitate biocrusts, ex situ culture methods for biocrust organisms must be optimized so that biocrusts may be grown in sufficient quantities to be reintroduced into degraded areas. Our goal was to improve these culture methods. We cultured six biocrust lichens and mosses, alone or in combinations, in a full-factorial greenhouse experiment, also manipulating water quality and hydration schedule. All cultures produced a multi-species biocrust. The lichen Collema grew fastest, increasing by up to 238 % over 5 months. The mosses Syntrichia caninervis, and Syntrichia ruralis also grew, whereas other lichen species failed to maintain growth. Species combinations featuring Collema and both mosses exhibited greater growth rates for all species, compared to monocultures. All species were either unaffected by water quality, or performed better when irrigated with purer water. Several species responded favorably to shorter dry periods. The lichen Collema is a promising restoration material because of its culturability, and its N-fixation ability. Initial species composition of a culture will likely affect its success, and complementarity among species may be exploitable in order to produce inoculum faster.
Mouse Cardiac MitobkCa Associates with β1 Subunit Favoring Channel Expression and Activity

We previously showed that in rat cardiomyocytes two types of mitoBKCa are present with high and low Po (∼0.85 and ∼0.01, respectively, at −60 mV in 12 µM Ca2+). We hypothesized that this difference could be related to the association with regulatory subunits. As first step, we investigated the role of BKCa β1 subunit by characterizing cardiac mitoBKCa properties in wild type (wt) and β1 KO mice. In wt mice, mitoBKCa was frequently recorded (in 6 out of 7 patches and 3 different preparations), had a conductance of ∼313 ± 8 pS (n=4) resembling that of mitoBKCa channel from rat (∼305 ± 19 pS, n=7), and was Ca2+ (n=2) and paxilline sensitive (n=3). In contrast to rat, wt mice had predominantly one population of mitoBKCa with a high open probability (Po∼0.8) at all membrane potentials tested (−80 to +80 mV, in 12 µM Ca2+). Interestingly, while in wt mice mitoBKCa were frequently recorded, in β1 KO, mitoBKCa was recorded only in 5 out of 24 patches (n=5 preparations). This channel had a similar conductance as the wt channel but with a much lower Po (∼0.25 vs. ∼0.8 at +60 mV in 12 µM Ca2+). These results are consistent with the view that in cardiac mitochondria, mitoBKCa is forming a complex with its β1 subunit favoring mitoBKCa expression and a high channel activity. A contribution of alternative subunits to mitoBKCa targeting and function needs further investigation. Supported by NIH and AHA.
NYRA Enters the World of Chelm

This essay explores the issues involved in the reprivatization of the New York Racing Association by New York State government.
How Much Security Is Enough to Stop a Thief

We address the question of how much security is required to protect a packaged system, installed in a large number of organizations, from thieves who would exploit a single vulnerability to attack multiple installations. While our work is motivated by the need to help organizations make decisions about how to defend themselves, we also show how they can better protect themselves by helping to protect each other.
Choose to Fight or Choose to Flee? A Network Embeddedness Perspective of Executive Ship Jumping in Declining Firms

Research summary: Executives in declining firms may engage in ship-jumping behavior (i.e., voluntarily move to new employers before the failure occurs) to avoid the stigma of failure. However, it is unclear how executives decide whether or not to jump ship. Building on a network embeddedness perspective, we highlight how three network-based indicators (i.e., executive social capital, the social capital of other peers in the declining firm, and the declining firm's alliance network) influence the executive-level ship-jumping decision by shaping its benefits and opportunity costs. Using data from executives at failing firms in China, we find support for our hypothesized relationships. Our research provides important insight into the network mechanisms driving the ship-jumping decision. Managerial summary: Executives at failing firms have a choice: stay and attempt to rescue the firm from failure or exit and avoid the stigma of the failure (i.e., jump ship). Yet, little is known about what factors affect this choice. We propose that social capital plays an important role in the decision. Our evidence from specially treated (*ST) public firms in China finds that ship jumping is lowest at low and high values of social capital, and highest at moderate levels of social capital (an inverted U-shaped relationship). In addition, higher levels of peer social capital (in the declining firm) as well as a well-established firm-level alliance network discourage the ship-jumping choice. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Approaches for Tailoring the Use of Radiotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

The majority of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will undergo radiotherapy. Clinical decisions regarding the delivery of radiotherapy are typically based on clinical and pathologic factors. In contrast, systemic therapy clinical decisions incorporate specific breast cancer biology. This review will focus on how breast cancer biology may help tailor radiotherapy for early-stage patients. Radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer is typically delivered for breast conservation. Regional nodal radiotherapy use in early-stage disease is expected to expand in the wake of recent clinical trial publications demonstrating improved disease-free survival in those with one to three axillary nodal metastases. There is a growing body of data demonstrating that intrinsic breast cancer subtypes and luminal multigene assays developed for systemic therapy are also associated with local regional recurrence. Including tumor biology in addition to standard clinical and pathological factors may lead to a more tailored use of radiotherapy in early-stage breast cancer.