cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and delayed controlled atmosphere storage of apples

Abstract The quality of ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Empire’ apples [Malus × sylvestris (L.) Mill. var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] after treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and delayed controlled atmosphere (CA) storage has been investigated. For each cultivar, fruit from three orchard blocks were harvested in two growing regions. 1-MCP was applied after overnight cooling to 2 °C and CA conditions applied 2, 7 and 14 d after harvest. Quality of fruit was assessed after CA storage for 6 months plus 1 and 7 d at 20 °C. 1-MCP suppressed the internal ethylene concentrations (IECs) of the fruit during the14 d period before CA conditions were applied, but the extent of suppression was lower in fruit with high IECs at harvest. Untreated fruit of both ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Empire’ exposed to CA storage after 2 d maintained firmness levels similar to 1-MCP treated fruit, but only for 1 d of shelf life. 1-MCP treatment resulted in firm fruit after delayed CA up to 14 d, but the most consistent effects were found in ‘Empire’ which has lower IECs than ‘McIntosh’. Orchard block differences in IEC affected the persistence of 1-MCP effects on firmness. Effects of 1-MCP treatment on storage disorders were inconsistent, although slight increases in risk of external carbon dioxide injury were detected. Rapid treatment of fruit with 1-MCP after harvest can afford storage operators more freedom to delay CA storage application, but attention to cultivar, fruit maturity and susceptibility of fruit to storage disorders must be considered.
DARTs: A DNA‐based in vitro polypeptide display technology

Display technologies link proteins with the genes that encode them, providing a means of selecting proteins with desired properties through the process of directed evolution. Here, we describe DNA/protein attachment and recovery tools (DARTs), a novel polypeptide display technology that utilizes the Agrobacterium tumefaciens protein VirD2 to generate DNA-protein hybrid molecules. The resulting DNA-protein hybrids are small, robust, and are not expected to be subject to the synthesis and selection biases associated with viral- and cell-based display systems. We demonstrated that these DNA-protein hybrids could be used to display a variety of peptides that bind to appropriate antibodies for immunodetection and immunopurification. Further, the DNA components of the hybrid molecules can hybridize to complementary DNA molecules in solution or on a solid substrate. Because full-length VirD2 self-associated, we constructed a truncation that did not self-associate but still exhibited DNA linking activity and efficiently displayed peptides. Finally, we purified DNA-protein hybrids using their displayed peptide epitopes and amplified their DNA components by polymerase chain reaction. We suggest that the DART polypeptide display system will be valuable for performing directed evolution and generating protein arrays.
Hepatitis B virus: a comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States.

There is a global epidemic of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections affecting more than 350 million people worldwide. This collective review provides the rationale for a comprehensive strategy to eliminate transmission of HBV in the United States. The virologic characteristics of HBV include three forms of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV core antigen (HbcAg), as well as a circulating peptide, the HBV e antigen (HBeAg). The year 2002 was the 20th anniversary of the use in the United States of the world's first vaccine against HBV. Our prevention strategy involves making HBV vaccine a part of the routine vaccination schedules for all infants in the United States. Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is another useful adjunct for prophylaxis that provides temporary protection (i.e., 3-6 months) and is recommended in only certain postexposure settings. The routes for administration of HBV vaccine and HBIG are intramuscular sites that differ according to the age of the individual. Following routine HBV vaccination in adults and children, prevaccination and postvaccination serologic testing is not recommended because of the relatively low rate of HBV infection and the low cost of the vaccine. Postexposure prophylaxis for HBV with serologic testing is, however, necessary for all hospital personnel exposed to blood or body fluids. In addition, infants born from mothers not immunized to HBV or those who are infected with HBV also require comprehensive postexposure prophylaxis with serologic testing. Comprehensive immunization strategies with serologic testing must be implemented for all groups that have a high risk of HBV infection. Finally, vaccine information statements (VIS) must be carefully integrated in this comprehensive disease prevention strategy, which is designed to prevent the transmission of HBV in the United States.
The effects of lesions of telencephalic visual structures on visual discriminative performance in turtles (Chrysemyspicta picta)

Ascending thalamotelencephalic visual pathways that terminate in specific telencephalic regions have been described in all reptiles studied. Although the anatomical data suggests that such telencephalic regions may play a role in visual processing in reptiles, few behavioral data are available. In the present study, the effects of destruction of either the core nucleus (CN) of the dorsal ventricular ridge (telencephalic terminus of the tectothalamofugal pathway) or the dorsal cortex (telencephalic terminus of the retinothalamofugal pathway) on visual discriminative performance in the turtle were examined. Following extensive bilateral destruction of the CN, turtles were severely impaired in their performance of both a simultaneous pattern discrimination and a simultaneous visual intensity discrimination. The extent of the discriminative impairment was found to be specifically correlated with the amount of CN damage. In contrast to the effects of CN lesions, lesions of the dorsal cortex had no evident effect on the performance of either a simultaneous pattern discrimination or a simultaneous visual intensity discrimination. The present results suggest that, as in birds and mammals, telencephalic visual areas play an important role in visual functions in reptiles. As in at least some birds (such as pigeons), the telencephalic terminus of the tectothalamofugal visual pathway appears to play a larger, or at least more readily measurable, role in visual discrimination than does the telencephalic terminus of the retinothalamofugal pathway.
Human 5-HT5 receptors: the 5-HT5A receptor is functional but the 5-HT5B receptor was lost during mammalian evolution

Abstract We have isolated from a human genomic library the human 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT 5A and 5-HT 5B genes. The human 5-HT 5A gene encodes a protein with similar characteristics to its mouse homologue. When expressed in monkey COS-7 cells, the human 5-HT 5A receptor displayed a high affinity for tritiated 5-carbamidotryptamine ([ 3 H]5-CT; K D =2.8 nM) and iodinated lysergic acid diethylamide ([ 125 I]LSD; K D =187 pM). These binding sites displayed the following displacement profile: Ergotamine>Methiothepin>5-CT, Ritanserin>5-HT. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments revealed the presence of human 5-HT 5A mRNA in the central nervous system but not in peripheral organs. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the 5-HT 5A receptor was able to couple to the inwardly rectifying K + channel, GIRK 1 . In contrast to the human 5-HT 5A gene and the mouse 5-HT 5B gene, the human 5-HT 5B gene does not encode a functional protein because its coding sequence is interrupted by stop codons. Our results suggest, therefore, that the 5-HT 5B receptor has been lost during evolution after the divergence between rodents and primates. The 5-HT 5B receptor is the first example of a brain-specific protein that is absent in human.
Magnetic Field Sensors based on Magnetoresistance Effect in Organic Semiconductor Sandwich Devices

We describe magnetic field sensors based on a recently discovered magnetoresistance (MR) effect in nonmagnetic organic semiconductor sandwich devices. The MR effect reaches up to 10% in a magnetic field of 10 mT at room temperature. We perform an extensive experimental characterization of this effect. We found that the MR effect is only weakly temperature dependent and does not depend on sign and direction of the applied magnetic field. We also measured the device response to alternating magnetic fields up to 100 kHz. To the best of our knowledge, the discovered MR effect is not adequately described by any of the MR mechanisms known to date.
Modified-signed-digit arithmetic for multi-input digital optical computing

We propose and demonstrate a modified-signed-digit (MSP) arithmetic to achieve multi-input digital optical computing. Our approach utilizes hybrid addition–subtraction transformation (or weight operation) rules among multiple inputs. This results in operation speeds that exceed those of two-input MSD arithmetic for multi-input computing. Optical implementation of the proposed multi-input MSD arithmetic by utilizing spatial data encoding and an optical fan-out element is also presented and experimentally demonstrated.
Increased Expression of Rab5a Correlates Directly with Accelerated Maturation of Listeria monocytogenesPhagosomes

Previous studies have shown that Listeria monocytogenes (LM) modulates phagocytic membrane traffic. Here we explore whether Rab5a, a GTPase associated with phagosome-endosome fusion, is related to phagosome maturation and to the intracellular survival of LM. Stable transfection of Rab5a cDNA into macrophages accelerates intracellular degradation of LM. Morphological studies confirmed that phagosome maturation and phagosome-lysosome fusion is enhanced by overexpression of Rab5a. Down-regulation experiments using antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the Rab5a mRNA efficiently reduced Rab5a synthesis, reduced phagosome-endosome traffic, blocked phagosome-lysosome fusion, and extended intraphagosomal survival of LM. Down-regulation of Rab5a had no effect on LM internalization. Down-regulation of Rab5c had no effect on phagosome maturation and phagosome-lysosome fusion. The results indicate that Rab5a controls early phagosome-endosome interactions and governs the maturation of the early phagosome leading to phagosome-lysosome fusion.
Theoretical analysis and simulation of heterocorrelation filters

In previous work we introduced new algorithms for forcing two dissimilar patterns to correlate with each other with very high discrimination capability. In this work we analyze our algorithms mathematically using nonlinear-transform methods. In this analysis we distinguish what terms are responsible for the correlation and what terms are responsible for the heterocorrelation. Computer simulations supporting our mathematical analysis are presented.
TU‐E‐I‐611‐03: The UF Series of Tomographic Anatomic Models of Pediatric Patients

Purpose: To develop a series of detailed tomographic computational models of pediatric patients for the use in patient dose evaluation under various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Method and Materials: IDL‐based image manipulation tools were utilized to develop five tomographic head and torso models of different pediatric patients (9‐month male, 4‐year female, 8‐year female, 11‐year male, and 14‐year male) from CTimage data of live patients. The models were created from fused images taken from head and CAP CT exams of the same individuals (9‐month and 4‐year models) or two different individuals of the same sex with close age (8‐year, 11‐year, and 14‐year models) since continuous images from head to CAP were not available. During the process, the image resolutions and slice positions were adjusted based upon their anatomy and engineered into single head‐torso image sets. Lungs, bones, and adipose tissues were automatically segmented by using window leveling of original CT numbers. The remainders were either semi‐automatically or manually segmented with the aids of both anatomical knowledge and available image processing techniques. Skin layers were created by adding voxels along the contour of the bodies. Results: Total of five high‐resolution pediatric tomographic model series were developed. More than 60 regions of interest were identified for each model to be used for the organ absorbed dose calculation and consequent effective dose assessment. Organ masses are compared to the age‐interpolated values of ICRP 89 reference data. Conclusion: This work provides the medical physics community with tomographic computational models, which are readily adaptable to general Monte Carlo codes to evaluate radiation risks of pediatric patients under various radiation procedures.
The residual finiteness of negatively curved polygons of finite groups

A subgroup M⊂G is almost malnormal provided that for each g∈G−M, the intersection M g ∩M is finite. It is proven that the free product of two virtually free groups amalgamating a finitely generated almost malnormal subgroup, is residually finite. A consequence of a generalization of this result is that an acute-angled n-gon of finite groups is residually finite if n≥4. Another consequence is that if G acts properly discontinuously and cocompactly on a 2-dimensional hyperbolic building whose chambers have acute angles and at least 4 sides, then G is residually finite.
Superprotonic behavior of Cs2(HSO4)(H2PO4) – a new solid acid in the CsHSO4–CsH2PO4 system

Investigations into the CsHSO₄–CsH₂PO₄ system have yielded a new solid acid, Cs₂(HSO₄)(H₂PO₄), with a superprotonic phase transition that occurs over the temperature range 61–105°C. In the room temperature structure, the SO₄ and PO₄ groups are randomly arranged on a single tetrahedral anion site. Hydrogen bonds are distributed through the structure so as to generate a two-dimensional network quite different from that of other cesium sulfate phosphate solid acids. The transition in Cs₂(HSO₄)(H₂PO₄) takes place by a unique two-step process, occurs at an unusually low temperature, is accompanied by a large heat of transformation, ΔH=44±2 J/g, and exhibits significant hysteresis. High temperature X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy revealed that the high temperature phase is cubic, with a₀=4.926(5)A, and likely takes on a CsCl structure, with Cs atoms at the corners of a simple cubic unit cell, and XO₄ groups (X=P or S) at the center. The conductivity in the high temperature phase at 110°C is 3×10⁻³ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, and the activation energy for proton transport is 0.37(1) eV. These values suggest that proton transport is facilitated by rapid XO₄ group reorientations in the cubic phase of Cs₂(HSO₄)(H₂PO₄), as is known to occur in the high temperature, tetragonal phase of CsHSO₄.
Removal of a cerebral meningioma in a patient with severe coronary heart disease

Abstract A report is made of a patient, who had both severe coronary heart disease and a nonmalignant intracranial neoplasm. Operation at first was deferred, but with full realization of the risk involved, the operation was carried to a successful conclusion. This single experience is also in keeping with the recorded experiences in the literature, that coronary heart disease should not be a deterrent factor in performing any major operation in which the indications are perfectly clear.
Filtering new facts about kidney disease

Loss of kidney filter function during nephrotic syndrome results in loss of protein from the blood into the urine (proteinuria). A new study mechanistically links proteinuria to dysregulated expression and post-transcriptional modification of the secreted glycoprotein angiopoietin-like-4 in kidney glomerular podocytes ( pages 117–122 ).
Region-based shape analysis with tracked locations

This paper proposes a novel approach to shape analysis: using local reasoning about individual heap locations instead of global reasoning about entire heap abstractions. We present an inter-procedural shape analysis algorithm for languages with destructive updates. The key feature is a novel memory abstraction that differs from traditional abstractions in two ways. First, we build the shape abstraction and analysis on top of a pointer analysis. Second, we decompose the shape abstraction into a set of independent configurations, each of which characterizes one single heap location. Our approach: 1) leads to simpler algorithm specifications, because of local reasoning about the single location; 2) leads to efficient algorithms, because of the smaller granularity of the abstraction; and 3) makes it easier to develop context-sensitive, demand-driven, and incremental shape analyses.We also show that the analysis can be used to enable the static detection of memory errors in programs with explicit deallocation. We have built a prototype tool that detects memory leaks and accesses through dangling pointers in C programs. The experiments indicate that the analysis is sufficiently precise to detect errors with low false positive rates; and is sufficiently lightweight to scale to larger programs. For a set of three popular C programs, the tool has analyzed about 70K lines of code in less than 2 minutes and has produced 97 warnings, 38 of which were actual errors.
Remote Viewing: A Response Bias Interpretation:

The psychic or paranormal phenomenon termed “remote viewing” was investigated using a signal-detection experimental procedure. “Remote viewing” involves the reported ability of a person (the receiver) physically separated from another person (the sender) to describe the surroundings (the target) of the sender. 90 volunteer college students were used in an experimental condition designed to measure the accuracy of “remote viewing” and 25 students served in a control condition designed to provide a baseline for guessing or response bias. The accuracy of “remote viewing” was objectively measured by having receivers select color photographs of the sender's location and rate the confidence of their selections. The results offered no statistical support for “remote viewing” either in terms of the proportions of correct and incorrect selections or in terms of the confidence ratings attached to correct and incorrect selections. The finding that successful receivers offered reliably more selection responses or gue...
Initial Validation of the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R):

This article reports the results of the initial evaluation of the revised version of the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI-R). The MRNI-R assesses only traditional male role norms (thus dropping the ...
Play behavior and motor development in juvenile Belding's ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi)

We evaluated the relationship between play behavior and motor development in juvenile Belding’s ground squirrels (Spermophilus beldingi). We observed the social play behavior of juvenile S. beldingi during their primary play period and conducted motor skills tests at the beginning and end of the play period. We also placed different-sized boxes in juveniles’ natal areas during the play period and observed box climbing behavior to assess the difficulty of non-social play tasks undertaken by juveniles. Rates of social play were greater in heavy compared to light individuals, supporting the idea that juveniles must selectively allocate available energy among competing demands such as growth and play behavior. Juveniles played almost exclusively with littermates; however, they did not play at equal rates with all partners. Rather, they tended to have one preferred partner and to devote significantly less time to playing with each additional partner, indicating that stability and familiarity are important in social play interactions. Motor skill levels at the end of the play period were greater among juveniles who played with many compared to few partners, suggesting that exposure to a variety of play interactions helps facilitate motor development. Improvement in motor skills was greater among juveniles who played at high compared to low rates, had several compared to few male play partners, and engaged in several compared to few play bouts with male partners, suggesting that elements of play with male partners prominently influence motor development. The partner with whom males played at the highest rate tended to be male, and rates of social play were highest in male biased litters, raising the possibility that improvement in motor proficiency arising from play with males may be especially important for young males. The size of experimental boxes that juveniles climbed increased during the play period, supporting the idea that individuals choose play tasks that pose the greatest challenge.
The Devaluing of Life in Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN

Much of the recent criticism of Frankenstein centers on the role of Dr. Frankenstein as the failed creator. Feminist critiques tend to focus on this theme (as pointed out by Ellen Cronan Rose in he...
Evidence for spreading-rate dependence in the displacement-length ratios of abyssal hill faults at mid-ocean ridges

New data from the eastern flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (~25‐27°N) show that slow-spreading abyssal hill faults maintain maximum displacement-length ratios that are systematically greater than those reported on the fast-spreading East Pacific Rise. Lower displacement-length ratios in the fast-spreading environment may reflect the importance of fault linkage (rather than lateral propagation) in determining the lengths of abyssal hill faults and the limited ability of fault systems that evolve within an extremely thin lithosphere to acquire additional displacement during or following linkage.
Colorimetry by Abridged Spectrophotometry

It seems to be generally conceded that the results obtained with a photoelectric colorimeter are significant only when the spectral characteristics of the sample and standard are similar. When this is the case, the selected ordinate method of integrating spectrophotometric data can be greatly abridged, a single selected ordinate being adequate under many circumstances. This means that an abridged spectrophotometer can be used for the dual purpose of production control and, when necessary, the determination of tristimulus values.
Real-time Planar Surface Segmentation in Disparity Space

An iterative Segmentation-Estimation framework for segmentation of planar surfaces in the disparity space is implemented on a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Disparity of a scene is modeled by approximating various surfaces in the scene to be planar. The surface labels are estimated during the segmentation phase of the framework with help of the underlying plane parameters. After segmentation, planar surfaces are separated into spatially continuous regions. The largest of these regions is used to compute the estimates for the plane parameters. The iterative process is continued till convergence. The algorithm was optimized and implemented on TMS320DM642 based embedded system that operates at 3 to 5 frames per second on images of size 320 x 240.
A Voltage Scalable 0.26 V, 64 kb 8T SRAM With V $_{\min}$ Lowering Techniques and Deep Sleep Mode

A voltage scalable 0.26 V, 64 kb 8T SRAM with 512 cells per bitline is implemented in a 130 nm CMOS process. Utilization of the reverse short channel effect in a SRAM cell design improves cell write margin and read performance without the aid of peripheral circuits. A marginal bitline leakage compensation (MBLC) scheme compensates for the bitline leakage current which becomes comparable to a read current at subthreshold supply voltages. The MBLC allows us to lower Vmin to 0.26 V and also eliminates the need for precharged read bitlines. A floating read bitline and write bitline scheme reduces the leakage power consumption. A deep sleep mode minimizes the standby leakage power consumption without compromising the hold mode cell stability. Finally, an automatic wordline pulse width control circuit tracks PVT variations and shuts off the bitline leakage current upon completion of a read operation.
Lectin Capture Strategies Combined with Mass Spectrometry for the Discovery of Serum Glycoprotein Biomarkers

The application of mass spectrometry to identify disease biomarkers in clinical fluids like serum using high throughput protein expression profiling continues to evolve as technology development, clinical study design, and bioinformatics improve. Previous protein expression profiling studies have offered needed insight into issues of technical reproducibility, instrument calibration, sample preparation, study design, and supervised bioinformatic data analysis. In this overview, new strategies to increase the utility of protein expression profiling for clinical biomarker assay development are discussed with an emphasis on utilizing differential lectin-based glycoprotein capture and targeted immunoassays. The carbohydrate binding specificities of different lectins offer a biological affinity approach that complements existing mass spectrometer capabilities and retains automated throughput options. Specific examples using serum samples from prostate cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma subjects are provided along with suggested experimental strategies for integration of lectin-based methods into clinical fluid expression profiling strategies. Our example workflow incorporates the necessity of early validation in biomarker discovery using an immunoaffinity-based targeted analytical approach that integrates well with upstream discovery technologies.
Least-cost path estimation in wireless ad hoc sensor networks using Petri nets

This paper develops an iterative algorithm for estimating the least-cost paths that can lead from a given initial state to a given final state in a wireless ad hoc sensor network (WASN) that is modeled by a Petri net. In particular, a WASN can be assumed as a multi-hop network and its topology can be modeled as a Petri net. We assume that each link between two nodes (each transition in the net) is associated with a positive cost to capture its likelihood (e.g., in terms of the transmission time, distance between nodes, or the link capacity). Given the structure of the Petri net and its initial/final state, we aim at finding the paths (with length less than or equal to a given bound L) that could lead us from the initial state to the final state while having the least total cost. We develop an iterative algorithm that finds the least-cost paths with complexity that is polynomial in the length L.
Nascent Pharynx, Physiology, Reflexes

The pharynx must maintain and coordinate the safety of airway and digestive functions regardless of maturational state or aging, activity or sleep state, postural variability, health, or illness. Life-threatening events are frequent in early stages of life, varying from apnea to laryngospasm to airway aspiration and may be the result of malfunction of pharyngeal–airway communications. Similarly, feeding and swallowing problems are also frequent in neonatal period, and dysphagia may result from malfunction of pharyngeal–esophageal communications. Hence, understanding the developmental physiology of deglutition and pharyngeal phase of swallowing is vital to the study of dysphagia in young infants. Unfortunately, not much is known about nascent human pharynx either during fetal life or in those born prematurely. Much of the knowledge is gleaned from animal studies or adult human studies. In this chapter, we attempt to elucidate what is known and relevant to the nascent pharyngeal anatomy and functions.
Pentraxin 3 is a Potential Diagnostic Marker for Aortic Stenosis

Abstract Pentraxin 3 (ptx3) is a member of the long pentraxin family and is rapidly produced and released by many cell types, including endothelial cells, in response to primary inflammatory signals. In our preliminary work, PTX3 gene expression was significantly increased in aortic valve tissue following exposure to elevated cyclic pressure. Consequently, we hypothesized that ptx3 would be a useful biomarker for the early diagnosis of aortic valve sclerosis. Isolated aortic VICs were treated with Angiotensin II (300nM), TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) or elevated cyclic pressure for six hours. The cell culture supernatant was collected and used to determine ptx3 protein expression using ELISA. Total RNA was isolated from the cells and PTX3 gene expression was determined using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition to cell culture studies, ptx3 protein expression was determined in hypertensive New Zealand White rabbits. Rabbits underwent Goldblatt one-clip/one-kidney surgery to induce hypertension (n=5). Four sham models served as a control. Blood pressure, echocardiography data and serum samples were collected at 0, 2 and 4 months. After 4 months, rabbits were euthanized and aortic valve tissue was collected for histological and gene expression analysis. Data from the cell culture studies showed that elevated cyclic pressure caused an increase in PTX3 gene expression and ptx3 protein expression. However, no significant changes were observed in gene or protein expression from cells treated with Ang II or TNF-alpha. Data collected from the animal model showed that blood pressure increased significantly for the experimental group but not the control group. Levels of ptx3 protein were measured from the serum and showed a slight increase over the four-month course of the experiments. The data suggest that ptx3 expression is mechanosensitive in the aortic valve and is not stimulated by biochemical factors such as TNF-alpha or Ang II. The increase in ptx3 expression in hypertensive rabbits demonstrates that this could be a potential diagnostic marker for aortic stenosis.
Elucidating the Role of Ions in DNA Condensation: Measurements of the Ion Atmosphere Surrounding Condensed DNA Pellets using Inductively-Couple Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

The importance of DNA as a biomolecule has prompted many investigations into the mechanisms that define its behavior. However in spite of several decades of research, the electrostatics that determine its behavior in polyvalent cation solutions remain unclear. In particular, research has yet to yield a definitive and experimentally verified model to explain the phenomenon of reentrant DNA condensation.Using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy on DNA condensed under controlled conditions, we have determined the complete cation atmosphere of condensed DNA pellets. These results will be compared directly to theoretical models of the ion atmosphere in condensed DNA and should be instrumental in creating a complete theoretical description of the electrostatics that drive DNA condensation.
Psychometric Properties of the Maternal Worry Scale for Children With Chronic Illness

Obfectlve: To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale termed the Maternal Worry Scale (MWS) designed to measure maternal worry about children with chronic illnesses. Method: The sample consisted of 140 mothers of young children (mean age 8.2 years, 64% female) with a chronic illness (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or sickle cell disease). Maternal worry, depression, and anxiety, as well as information about the child's health and behavior, were assessed through structured interviews. Results: The MWS had good internal consistency (alpha = .94) and test-retest reliability (r = .84). Analyses indicated a single-factor structure for the MWS. Estimates of construct validity were quite positive: the MWS was moderately correlated with parental depression (r = .34-39), anxiety (r = .27), and maternal report of child behavior problems (r = .25 [externalizing], r = .46 [internalizing]). Conclusions: The results suggest that the MWS is a useful, reliable, and valid scale for measuring worry of mothers raising children with chronic health conditions.
Abortion Affiliation, Urban Size, and Geographic Bias of Responses to Lost Letters

A study using 1800 "lost letters" was designed to test the hypothesis that returned responses would be greater in smaller rural communities (population M = 964) than in a city (population = 60,591) or the suburbs (population = 195,847) unless the addressee was affiliated with a pro-abortion group. Returns to control, Committee For Free Abortion, and Committee Against Free Abortion affiliates were 37.2%, 24.0%, 29.3%, respectively. From the city, the number of returned letters was much larger than the number from the suburbs except for those letters with an affiliation to the pro-abortion condition. Returned letters from the city were fewer than those from smaller rural communities except those letters affiliated with the pro-abortion group. More letters affiliated with the pro-abortion condition were returned from the suburbs than from the smaller rural communities. The geographic condition influenced over-all rates of return. Rates were higher when letters were addressed to a city P.O. Box than to a rural one. Second, rates were also greater in smaller rural communities for letters bearing "in-town" (Molino) and "out-of-town" (Pensacola) addresses than those from the city bearing an "out-of-town" (Molino) address. These findings seem to indicate the possibility that there may be some geographic bias in the willingness of people to help a stranger in need by returning a lost letter.
Themes of Agency and Communion In Significant Autobiographical Scenes

ABSTRACT In three studies employing over 350 community adults and college students, participants wrote or told narratives of personally important scenes in their lives. The autobiographical accounts were coded for themes of agency and communion, the two general content dimensions in lives and life stories that have been identified by many theorists and researchers. The four agentic themes of self-mastery, status, achievement/responsibility, and empowerment were positively associated with Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) measures of achievement and power motivation, self-report scales of dominance and achievement, and personal strivings concerning being successful and feeling strong. Similarly, the four communal themes of love/friendship, dialogue, care/help, and community were positively associated with intimacy motivation, needs for affiliation and nurturance, and personal strivings concerned with warm and close relationships. The results suggest a thematic coherence in personality across the arenas of key autobiographical memories, social motives, and daily goals.
Going to the heart of the matter: do negative emotions cause coronary heart disease?

Objective: Negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, and depression, have emerged as potentially important risk factors for coronary heart disease. The purpose of this article is to consider the nature and function of emotions, to review epidemiological evidence for an association between the three negative emotions and coronary heart disease (CHD), to discuss briefly the mechanisms by which emotions may be linked to CHD, and to consider this evidence in light of theoretical insights provided by mainstream psychological research on emotions. Methods: We collected articles published between 1980 and 1998 on the relationship between each negative emotion and CHD. We also collected review articles or chapters published during the same time period that considered mechanisms by which emotions may increase CHD risk. We used a qualitative approach to review the published literature. Results: Evidence that anxiety is involved in the onset of CHD is strongest, whereas evidence for an association between anger and CHD is limited but suggestive. Although depression has consistently been linked to mortality following a myocardial infarction, evidence for its role in the onset of coronary disease is quite mixed. Numerous unresolved issues leave our current understanding of the emotion–health relationship incomplete. Psychological theories of emotion are considered to help address gaps in our knowledge. Conclusion: Growing evidence indicates that negative emotions may influence the development of CHD. The focused and specific consideration of negative emotions and their possible role in the etiology of CHD gives insight into current knowledge and suggests important directions for future research.
Decolonizing methods: African studies and qualitative research

Interdisciplinary scholarship has highlighted the coloniality of knowledge: The idea that mainstream research is an integral component of racialized modernity that reflects perspectives of the powerful and reproduces domination. To counteract the coloniality of knowledge, decolonial theorists advocate research strategies of accompaniment that draw upon local understandings as an epistemological basis for rethinking mainstream research. To illustrate these strategies, I briefly describe observations from a program of research that compares experience of relationship across diverse West African and North American settings. Qualitative methods of accompaniment help illuminate forms of marginalized knowledge that not only make visible the political economy of relationship research but also suggest directions for sustainable ways of relating that reflect and promote the interests of broad humanity.
FoxL2 and Smad3 Coordinately Regulate Follistatin Gene Transcription

Follistatin is a transcriptional target and a modulator of activin action. Through an autocrine/paracrine loop, activin controls follistatin levels and thus regulates its own bioavailability. In gonadotropic αT3-1 cells, activin induces follistatin transcription primarily through the action of Smad3 at an intronic Smad-binding element (SBE1). Using a proteomics approach, we searched for endogenous αT3-1 proteins that participate in SBE1-mediated transcription. We identified FoxL2, a member of the forkhead family, as a candidate modulator of SBE1 function. Mutations of FoxL2 are associated with the blepharophimosis/ptosis/epicanthus inversus syndrome characterized with craniofacial defects and premature ovarian failure. FoxL2 localizes to α-glycoprotein subunit- and follicle-stimulating hormone β-positive cells of the adult mouse pituitary and is present in αT3-1 and LβT2 cells, but its pituitary actions remain largely unknown. We have determined that FoxL2 binds to a forkhead-binding element (FKHB) located just downstream of the SBE1 site of the follistatin gene and functions as a Smad3 partner to drive SBE1-mediated transcription in αT3-1 cells treated with activin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirm that endogenous FoxL2 and Smad3 are recruited to the intronic enhancer of the follistatin gene where the SBE1 and FKHB sites are located. Exogenous FoxL2 enhances SBE1-mediated transcription, and short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous FoxL2 protein compromises this effect in αT3-1 cells. FoxL2 directly associates with Smad3 but not Smad2 or Smad4. This association between Smad3 and FoxL2 is mediated by the MH2 domain of Smad3 and is dependent on an intact forkhead domain in FoxL2. Altogether, these observations highlight a novel role for FoxL2 and suggest that it may function as a transcriptional regulator and a coordinator of Smad3 targets.
Effect of institutional volume and academic status on outcomes of coronary interventions: the IMPACT-II experience.

Abstract Background: Rates of morbidity and mortality after interventional procedures are reported to be inversely associated with institutional volume. Methods: This study assessed both procedural volume and academic status at the 82 US centers that participated in the IMPACT-II trial. Interventional volumes at the sites ranged from 90 to 3300 cases per year. Patients were randomly assigned to a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (eptifibatide) or placebo during procedures done by experienced operators. The primary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, nonelective repeat coronary intervention, or nonelective coronary artery bypass surgery at 30 days, or placement of an intracoronary stent for abrupt closure during the initial procedure. Results: Baseline patient characteristics and median length of stay were similar between the academic and nonacademic centers. In univariable analysis, volume as a continuous variable had a nonlinear relation with the incidence of the composite end point, with better outcomes noted at the highest volume institutions. Academic status did not predict outcome. When added to a predictive model that contained the variables unstable angina, weight, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, heart rate, and platelet count, procedural volume continued to be associated with the composite outcome ( P = .04). Conclusions: We conclude that among hospitals participating in this trial, there is a nonlinear relation between annual interventional volume and outcomes. This relation is complex, involving variations in periprocedural infarction rates and additional, undefined institutional differences (other than academic status) that result in differences in procedural outcome. (Am Heart J 1999;138:976-82.)
Solution conformation of 2-aminopurine dinucleotide determined by ultraviolet two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy

We have observed the conformation-dependent electronic coupling between the monomeric subunits of a dinucleotide of 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a fluorescent analogue of the nucleic acid base adenine. This was accomplished by extending two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (2D FS)—a fluorescence-detected variation of 2D electronic spectroscopy—to excite molecular transitions in the ultraviolet (UV) regime. A collinear sequence of four ultrafast laser pulses centered at 323 nm was used to resonantly excite the coupled transitions of 2-AP dinucleotide. The phases of the optical pulses were continuously swept at kilohertz frequencies, and the ensuing nonlinear fluorescence was phase-synchronously detected at 370 nm. Upon optimization of a point–dipole coupling model to our data, we found that in aqueous buffer the 2-AP dinucleotide adopts an average conformation in which the purine bases are non-helically stacked (center-to-center distance R12 = 3.5 ± 0.5 A , twist angle θ12 = 5° ± 5° ), which differs from the conformation of such adjacent bases in duplex DNA. These experiments establish UV–2D FS as a method for examining the local conformations of an adjacent pair of fluorescent nucleotides substituted into specific DNA or RNA constructs, which will serve as a powerful probe to interpret, in structural terms, biologically significant local conformational changes within the nucleic acid framework of protein–nucleic acid complexes.
Continuous multi-particle separation using deterministic focusing in spiral microchannels

This paper reports on a passive, high throughput approach to simultaneously separate multiple microparticles using the principle of Dean-coupled inertial migration in spiral microchannels. The design takes advantage of the particle size dependence of the inertial lift and Dean drag forces to equilibrate particles of varying sizes at distinct positions across the microchannel cross-section. The segregated particle streams are collected using an appropriately designed outlet system. The approach was demonstrated using a 5-loop 500 µm × 130 µm (W×H) Archimedean spiral channel to simultaneously separate 10 µm, 15 µm, and 20 µm diameter particles.
Laboratory-Developed L1 Sequencing and Type-Specific, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection and Typing of Human Papillomaviruses in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Context.—The detection and typing of high-risk and low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by nucleic acid amplification testing is an important adjunct to immunohistochemical staining in evaluation of squamous cell proliferations of the oropharynx, larynx, and anal canal. Objective.—To evaluate semiautomated, xylene-free extraction from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues combined with laboratory-developed HPV L1 sequencing and type-specific HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 real-time polymerase chain reaction for identification and typing of HPV in the clinical laboratory. Design.—We evaluated the adequacy of extraction using β-globin amplification and compared L1 sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction methods for typing accuracy using 68 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, including 56 anorectal biopsy or surgical resection specimens and 12 laryngeal papilloma specimens from patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Results.—Adequ...
Soil-Plant-Microbial Relations in Hydrothermally Altered Soils of Northern California

Soils developed on relict hydrothermally altered soils throughout the Western United States present unique opportunities to study the role of geology on above and belowground biotic activity and composition. Soil and vegetation samples were taken at three unaltered andesite and three hydrothermally altered (acid-sulfate) sites located in and around Lassen Volcanoes National Park in northeastern California. In addition, three different types of disturbed areas (clearcut, thinned, pipeline) were sampled in acid-sulfate altered sites. Soils were sampled (0 to 15 centimeters) in mid-summer 2010 from both under-canopy and between-canopy areas within each of the sites. Soils were analyzed for numerous physical and chemical properties along with soil enzyme assays, carbon and nitrogen mineralization potential, microbial biomass-carbon and carbon-substrate utilization. Field vegetation measurements consisted of canopy cover by life form (tree, shrub, forb, grass), tree and shrub density, and above-ground net primary productivity of the understory. Overall, parameters at the clearcut sites were more similar to the unaltered sites, while parameters at the thinned and pipeline sites were more similar to the altered sites. We employed principal components analysis to develop two soil quality indices to help quantify the differences among the sites: one based on the correlation between soil parameters and canopy cover, and the second based on six sub-indices. Soil quality indices developed in these systems could provide a means for monitoring and identifying key relations between the vegetation, soils and microorganisms.
Superconducting detectors for infrared and millimeter waves

Quasiparticle and Josephson tunneling currents in superconducting tunnel junctions provide nonlinear low-noise response up to terahertz frequencies. Many types of direct detector heterodyne mixer and parametric amplifier based on these effects have been explored. Only the SIS quasiparticle mixer has been sufficiently competitive to find significant applications. These mixers can have noise approaching the quantum limit TN = ℏω/k and gain larger than 10 dB. They are used at a number of observatories for molecular line radio astronomy at millimeter wavelengths. Similar applications at submillimeter wavelengths are beginning.
The Accountant-Client Privilege in Multidistrict Litigation: Does It Apply?

Analysis of state-created accountant-client privilege laws and their applicability in the pretrial proceedings of cases that are consolidated into one multidistrict litigation action where jurisdictions of original filing have conflicting approaches to the privilege. The privilege is explored under state choice-of-law rules and under the Erie and Byrd doctrines. This paper ultimately concludes that a state-created accountant-client privilege should apply to pretrial proceedings of multidistrict litigation.
Disaggregation of sectors in social accounting matrices using a customized Wolsky method: a comment on its estimation bias

ABSTRACTBarrera–Lozano et al. (2015) suggest an approach to disaggregate SAM matrices using a customized method based on Wolsky (1984). Starting from an aggregated sector, they propose the extraction of a branch instead of its partition. This study compares these two methods based on the magnitude of their estimation bias of the disaggregated technical coefficient matrix. From simulations of the disaggregated Leontief matrix, this work calculates linkages and multipliers for common sectors derived from using either the Wolsky (1984) sectoral disaggregation or the Barrera–Lozano et al. (2015) sectoral extraction. Results show that both approaches provide biased estimators, with the last one showing a significantly higher bias, especially in cases of incomplete information. This comparison suggests the need of additional research to provide bias corrections for input–output disaggregation methodologies.