cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental acidification is not associated with altered plasma corticosterone levels in the stream-side salamander, Desmognathus ochrophaeus.

Abstract As environments become increasingly altered due to anthropogenic factors, interest is growing in how endocrine systems respond to pollution and environmental degradation. Glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) are a type of stress hormones that are released upon activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and have widespread effects throughout the body. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to environmental acidification is associated with altered levels of plasma GCs in adult, stream-side Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus). We compared plasma corticosterone (CORT) in salamanders living in 9 streams that differed in pH. Although capture and handling induced a robust increase in plasma CORT in all populations of salamanders, we discerned no significant effect of environmental pH on baseline CORT or handling-induced CORT levels. In a laboratory study, low pH decreased salamander locomotory activity compared to acid-neutral controls, but there was no effect of pH on plasma CORT. Decreased locomotory activity is a common amphibian response to stress, indicating that low pH has adverse effects on Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders. Overall, we conclude that the effects of environmental pH on salamander behavior and other potential responses are not mediated by changes in plasma CORT levels. We discuss alternative explanations for our results and describe difficulties involved in searching for relationships between plasma GCs and environmental degradation.
An Overview of Best Practices to Teach Listening Skills

Teaching listening skills in today's classroom environments is often misunderstood or completely omitted. Each classroom contains a unique set of listening barriers that affect learning and cause undesired outcomes for both the student and the instructor. In an effort to alleviate these barriers, tailored listening skills assignments for each classroom provide instructors with the tools to enhance student learning. This introduction establishes a framework for understanding how listening skill assignments can increase critical thinking and effect positive student learning outcomes within the classroom environment.
Effects of genotype and nutrient availability on phytochemistry of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) during leaf senescence

Abstract We documented temporal patterns in phytochemical composition of Populus tremuloides Michx. during leaf senescence, and the influence of genotype and soil nutrient availability on such patterns. Levels of foliar nitrogen, carbohydrates, phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins were quantified for four aspen genotypes grown in a common garden, with low and high levels of soil nutrients. Levels of all compounds tended to decline over time, although the magnitude of change was influenced by plant genotype and nutrient availability. Genetic variation in concentrations of phytochemicals was much greater for phenolic glycosides and tannins than for nitrogen and carbohydrates, and these phenolic signatures generally persisted through leaf abscission. Our results suggest that genotypic and nutrient effects on patterns of chemical change during senescence will likely influence the performance of late-season herbivores on aspen. Moreover, nutrient and especially genotypic variation in phytochemistry of abscised leaves is likely to affect litter decomposition rates.
Encapsulation of inorganic particles via miniemulsion polymerization

The encapsulation of TiO2 particles via miniemulsion polymerization is strongly dependent on the size and stability of the inorganic particles in the monomer medium in which they are initially dispersed. It was found from XPS and FT-IR studies that both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic TiO2 particles, which were studied, have hydroxyl groups present on their surfaces, which can strongly interact with the amine end-groups of the polymeric stabilizer, OLOA370 (polybutene-succinimide diethyl triamine). It was found from the dispersion and adsorption studies that the amount of OLOA370 retained on the TiO2 particles is strongly dependent on the area exposed by the sonification that is applied to break up the aggregates in the dispersion process. The TiO2 dispersions in styrene monomer were themselves dispersed as miniemulsion droplets and subsequently polymerized. It was concluded from the density gradient column (DGC) analysis of the latexes obtained from the encapsulation polymerizations, that the stability of the inorganic particles in the monomer, as well as their particle size, significantly influence the encapsulation efficiencies. The use of the hydrophilic titanium dioxide particles in combination with the stabilizer, OLOA370, resulted in a good dispersibility, dispersion stability, and small TiO2 particle size. This lead to better encapsulation efficiencies compared to the hydrophobic particles. The poorer results obtained with the hydrophobic TiO2 particles were attributed to their larger particle size, which resulted from the reduced adsorption of the OLOA370. Fewer hydroxyls and the presence of the trimethoxy octyl silane (TMOS) groups, which themselves are unable to provide sufficient steric stability, are proposed to explain these findings.
Evaluation of the Factors Controlling the Time-Dependent Inactivation Rate Coefficients of Bacteriophage MS2 and PRD1

Static and dynamic batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of temperature and the presence of sand on the inactivation of bacteriophage MS2 and PRD1. The experimental data suggested that the inactivation process can be satisfactorily represented by a pseudo-first-order expression with time-dependent rate coefficients. The time-dependent rate coefficients were used to determine pertinent thermodynamic properties required for the analysis of the molecular processes involved in the inactivation of each bacteriophage. A combination of high temperature and the presence of sand appears to produce the greatest disruption to the surrounding protein coat of MS2. However, the lower activation energies for PRD1 indicate a weaker dependence of the inactivation rate on temperature. Instead, the presence of air-liquid and air-solid interfaces appears to produce the greatest damage to specific viral components that are related to infection. These results indicate the importance of using thermodynamic parameters based on the time-dependent inactivation model to better predict the inactivation of viruses in groundwater.
Age-related alterations in innate immune receptor expression and ability of macrophages to respond to pathogen challenge in vitro

The impact of ageing in innate immunity is poorly understood. Studies in the mouse model have described altered innate immune functions in aged macrophages, although these were not generally linked to altered expression of receptors or regulatory molecules. Moreover, the influence of ageing in the expression of these molecules has not been systematically examined. We investigated age-dependent expression differences in selected Toll-like and other pattern-recognition receptors, receptors involved in inflammatory amplification, and in transmembrane and intracellular regulators of inflammatory signaling. Young and aged macrophages were examined under resting conditions or upon activation with Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen in periodontal disease, the prevalence and severity of which increase in old age. We detected a limited number of age-dependent alterations, involving both reduction and increase of immune activity. Interestingly, surface expression of receptors that amplify inflammation (C5a anaphylatoxin receptor and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells [TREM]-1) was elevated in aged macrophages. No significant age-dependent differences were observed regarding the phagocytosis and intracellular killing of P. gingivalis, consistent with lack of significant changes in phagocytic receptor expression and induction of antimicrobial molecules. Therefore, at least at the cellular level, certain aspects of innate immune function may not necessarily decline with age.
Host-directed processing of Citrus exocortis viroid.

Prolonged infection of tomato hybrid (Lycopersicon esculentum×Lycopersicon peruvianum) by Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) resulted in viroid-like enlarged structures, detected by gel electrophoresis. This population included two new enlarged variants or D-variants, D-87 and D-76, and three transient species or D-forms, D-38, D-40 and D-43. Sequence analyses exposed a locus near the terminal repeat region where major changes appeared consistently. In transmission tests to CEVd hosts, a variety of progeny populations were recovered, including progeny enlargements of and reversions to CEVd, as well as sequence fidelity to the inoculum. Transmission tests to citrus hosts of the genera Citrus, Poncirus or Fortunella were unsuccessful. The importance of host specificity to the recovery and processing of the various CEVd-related structures, as well as the temporal variability of progeny populations, was demonstrated.
Effective identification of conserved pathways in biological networks using hidden Markov models.

Background: The advent of various high-throughput experimental techniques for measuring molecular interactions has enabled the systematic study of biological interactions on a global scale. Since biological processes are carried out by elaborate collaborations of numerous molecules that give rise to a complex network of molecular interactions, comparative analysis of these biological networks can bring important insights into the functional organization and regulatory mechanisms of biological systems. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this paper, we present an effective framework for identifying common interaction patterns in the biological networks of different organisms based on hidden Markov models (HMMs). Given two or more networks, our method efficiently finds the top k matching paths in the respective networks, where the matching paths may contain a flexible number of consecutive insertions and deletions. Conclusions/Significance: Based on several protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks obtained from the Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP) and other public databases, we demonstrate that our method is able to detect biologically significant pathways that are conserved across different organisms. Our algorithm has a polynomial complexity that grows linearly with the size of the aligned paths. This enables the search for very long paths with more than 10 nodes within a few minutes on a desktop computer. The software program that implements this algorithm is available upon request from the authors.
Transcription meets metabolism in neurodegeneration.

A molecular basis for the metabolic abnormalities observed in Huntington disease is emerging. Transcription of a key mitochondrial regulator, PGC-1α, is dysregulated by mutant huntingtin, leading to oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. The findings dovetail with previous work implicating aberrant transcription in Huntington disease, and have implications for related conditions such as Parkinson disease.
An Experiment with Ethnicity and Foreign Languages in a Black College

This pilot project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1978–79, had as its goal the integration of the cultures of French and Spanish-speaking black populations into elementary and intermediate college language courses. The major activities of the project were: (1) a two-week workshop for teachers in Afro-French-Hispanic literatures and cultures; (2) the preparation of course manuals for French and Spanish language courses by Hampton Institute faculty; (3) the teaching of these materials for two semesters at Hampton Institute. The 15 teachers from historically Black universities and colleges who joined the Hampton Institute faculty during the summer workshop, taught black francophone and hispanophone cultural materials according to their respective textbook and classroom situations. The overall results of the experimental program have been rewarding and positive. Hampton Institute is the recipient of a second NEH grant for the development of modules which incorporate Afro-French-Hispanic cultural elements for elementary French and Spanish courses during 1979–80.
Voltammetric oxidation of vinblastine and related compounds

Abstract The indole alkaloids, vinblastine, catharanthine, and vindoline, gave oxidation waves in mixed aqueous/organic media by cyclic, normal-pulse, and differential-pulse voltammetry (d.p.v). Of the systems investigated, d.p.v. at carbon paste anodes in pH 5.6 acetate buffer in ethanol/water (1:1) is recommended for general analytical work; calibration graphs were linear up to about 1 mM, with limits of detection of 4, 20, and 1.5 μM for vinblastine, catharanthine, and vindoline, respectively. Results obtained by cyclic voltammetry as well as by pulse techniques suggest that electron transfer is preceded by deprotonation and followed by additional chemical reactions. Products of the electrode processes form mechanically unstable films on the electrode surface.
Oxidative annealing of ZnSe/GaAs heterostructures

Abstract We annealed ZnSe/GaAs heterostructures in the oxygen atmosphere and investigated structural and optical properties of the forming films using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence. While highly textured ZnO films were synthesized via low-temperature processing (~ 500 °C), high temperature processing (~ 800 °C) promoted reaction at the film/substrate interface and Zn loss from the film surface resulting in the polycrystalline ZnGa 2 O 4 and ZnO 2 .
Experimental PSK/ASK transceiver for a multigigabit-per-second coherent WDM local area network

The relatively slow tuning speed of current tunable optical devices makes it difficult to build fast packet-switched networks based on wavelength tunability.1 Many approaches to network control and transmission coordination in WDM networks have been put forth to overcome this difficulty.2,3 STARNET, an experimental multigigabit-per-second WDM LAN being developed at Stanford University,4 avoids the requirement of fast wavelength tunability and facilitates network control by creating two logical subnetworks, a 2.488 Gbit/s tunable circuit-switched subnetwork and a 125-Mbit/s FDDI-compatible, fixed-tuned, packet-switched ring subnetwork, on a single physical star topology.
Structural Basis and Targeting of the Interaction between Fibroblast Growth Factor-inducible 14 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis

Deregulation of the TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)-fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) signaling pathway is observed in many diseases, including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Activation of Fn14 signaling by TWEAK binding triggers cell invasion and survival and therefore represents an attractive pathway for therapeutic intervention. Based on structural studies of the TWEAK-binding cysteine-rich domain of Fn14, several homology models of TWEAK were built to investigate plausible modes of TWEAK-Fn14 interaction. Two promising models, centered on different anchoring residues of TWEAK (tyrosine 176 and tryptophan 231), were prioritized using a data-driven strategy. Site-directed mutagenesis of TWEAK at Tyr(176), but not Trp(231), resulted in the loss of TWEAK binding to Fn14 substantiating Tyr(176) as the anchoring residue. Importantly, mutation of TWEAK at Tyr(176) did not disrupt TWEAK trimerization but failed to induce Fn14-mediated nuclear factor κ-light chain enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) signaling. The validated structural models were utilized in a virtual screen to design a targeted library of small molecules predicted to disrupt the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction. 129 small molecules were screened iteratively, with identification of molecules producing up to 37% inhibition of TWEAK-Fn14 binding. In summary, we present a data-driven in silico study revealing key structural elements of the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction, followed by experimental validation, serving as a guide for the design of small molecule inhibitors of the TWEAK-Fn14 ligand-receptor interaction. Our results validate the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction as a chemically tractable target and provide the foundation for further exploration utilizing chemical biology approaches focusing on validating this system as a therapeutic target in invasive cancers.
Fast approximations for accessible surface area and molecular volume of protein segments

Equations are presented that approximate the accessible surface area of a continuous protein segment using the surface area of an inertial ellipsoid and that approximate the molecular volume from the number of non-hydrogen atoms in the segment. These approximations, which are appropriate for segments of four or more residues in length, are much faster to calculate than the exact solutions, yet suffer only a 3–8% error. Included in an appendix are FORTRAN subroutines that calculate the surface area of an ellipsoid from its three principal moments of inertia.
Membrane topology of the hepatitis C virus NS2 protein.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS2 protein is a hydrophobic protein. Previous studies indicate that this protein is an integral membrane protein, which is targeted to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the signal sequence located in its preceding p7 protein. In this report, we demonstrate that the membrane association of NS2 is p7-independent and occurs co-translationally. Further deletion-mapping studies suggest the presence of two internal signal sequences in NS2. These two internal signal sequences, which are located within amino acids 839–883 and amino acids 928–960, could target the α-globin reporter, a cytosolic protein, to the membrane compartments in HuH7 hepatoma cells. The presence of multiple signal sequences for its membrane association suggests that NS2 has multiple transmembrane domains. The glycosylation studies indicate that both amino and carboxyl termini of NS2 are located in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Based on these results, a model for the NS2 membrane topology is presented.
Development of poly(β-amino ester)-based biodegradable nanoparticles for nonviral delivery of minicircle DNA

Gene therapy provides a powerful tool for regulating cellular processes and tissue repair. Minicircle (MC) DNA are supercoiled DNA molecules free of bacterial plasmid backbone elements and have been reported to enhance prolonged gene expression compared to conventional plasmids. Despite the great promise of MC DNA for gene therapy, methods for safe and efficient MC DNA delivery remain lacking. To overcome this bottleneck, here we report the development of a poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE)-based, biodegradable nanoparticulate platform for efficient delivery of MC DNA driven by a Ubc promoter in vitro and in vivo. By synthesizing and screening a small library of 18 PBAE polymers with different backbone and end-group chemistry, we identified lead cationic PBAE structures that can complex with minicircle DNA to form nanoparticles, and delivery efficiency can be further modulated by tuning PBAE chemistry. Using human embryonic kidney 293 cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts as model cell types, we identified a few PBAE polymers that allow efficient MC delivery at levels that are comparable or even surpassing Lipofectamine 2000. The biodegradable nature of PBAE-based nanoparticles facilitates in vivo applications and clinical translation. When injected via intraperitoneal route in vivo, MC alone resulted in high transgene expression, and a lead PBAE/MC nanoparticle formulation achieved a further 2-fold increase in protein expression compared to MC alone. Together, our results highlight the promise of PBAE-based nanoparticles as promising nonviral gene carriers for MC delivery, which may provide a valuable tool for broad applications of MC DNA-based gene therapy.
A Global Health Elective for US Medical Students: The 35 Year Experience of the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, School of Public Health

The School of Public Health at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center has sponsored a 6-8 week global health elective for fourth year medical students since 1980. The purpose of this elective is to provide students with an opportunity to observe the health care and public health delivery systems in low-income countries, provide medical service and have a cross-cultural experience. Over the course of the past 35 years, 388 students have participated in this global health elective in more than 41 low-income countries. The most popular sites include the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, India, Kenya and Thailand. Overall, interest in this elective has persisted throughout the course of time, sometimes temporarily increasing or decreasing with outside factors, such as the events of 11 September 2001 and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Asia. Recent annual applications for this elective have been as high as 44 out of a class of 200 students. Over the past 10 years, annual acceptance rates have varied, ranging from a low of 32 % in 2007-2008 to a high of 74 % in 2010-2011 and 2013-2014. Careful screening, including a written application, review of academic records and personal interviews has resulted in the selection of highly mature, adaptable and dedicated students who have performed well at overseas sites. Student rated satisfaction levels with this elective are almost universally high, with most rating it the best experience of their medical school years. Students undergo extensive preparation prior to their travel overseas, including a review of individual health and safety issues, travel and lodging, and the nature of the host country culture, health care system and assignment site. Downstate medical students are especially experienced in cross-cultural understanding because of the unusual diversity of the patient population in Brooklyn, and the diversity of local hospital staff and the medical school class. The Alumni Fund of the College of Medicine has steadfastly supported this elective with both a philosophical commitment and financial grants to help defray costs since the very early years. The Dr. Michael and Lona B. Kenney Endowment, the Joshua H. Weiner endowment, and the LSK Foundation have also provided financial support for this elective. Throughout the course of this elective, overseas preceptors have willingly given of their time and institutional resources to make these experiences available and meaningful for our students.
Determination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) in human plasma using ion-pair chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Abstract A thin-layer gold/mercury electrode and a hanging mercury drop electrode are compared as part of an evaluation of liquid chromatography (LC) with electrochemical detection (ED) for the determination of platinum species in human plasma ultrafiltrate. The platinum species, derived from an aged aqueous solution of the antineoplastic agent cis -diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP), can be separated by ion-pair chromatography. Variation of a number of parameters is described along with the limitations and advantages of each kind of electrode system. We have used our LC—ED technique to separate CDDP from its hydrolysis products and other non-platinum-containing species in human plasma ultrafiltrate with a detection limit of 62 ng/ml (ppb).
SU-GG-I-28: On the Determination of the Beam Output of a Kilovoltage Cone-Beam CT

Purpose: To find suitable methods for the beam output determination resulting from a kilovoltage cone‐beam CT (kV‐CBCT) under reference conditions. The accurate determination of the beam output is essential in commissioning of a kilovoltage beam in a treatment planning system for the documentation of additional radiation exposure to radiotherapy patients resulting from kV‐CBCT acquisitions. Method and Materials: Three different commercially available plastic materials are investigated as liquid water substitutes in the beam output determination for kV‐CBCT scans. Both Monte Carlo and experimental methods were used in the study. The methods were tested in all kV‐CBCT default clinical scan protocols available in Varian OBI 1.4 (Head, Low‐dose Thorax, Pelvis, and Pelvis Spot Light). An Exradin Model A14 was used to measure dose in phantoms under specified reference conditions. The errors of dose calculations were investigated for different plastic phantoms with and without considering the medium dependence. Results: A method of obtaining the beam output was presented. In a commercial treatment planning system, the beam outputs for a specific kV‐CBCT scan determined by measured values under reference conditions can be entered in the system as cGy/minute during the beam configuration. The results showed that the potential errors of determining the beam output of a kV‐CBCT beam in Solid Water and PMMA phantoms may approach 8% and 20% respectively for use in a conventional treatment planning system. Whereas using the PLASTIC WATER® Low Energy Range (PW‐LR) phantom results in errors within 2%. Conclusion: The determination of the beam output of a kV‐CBCT scan is performed in a water phantom. The PW‐LR phantom is shown to be a suitable liquid water substitute in the beam output determination resulting from a kV‐CBCT acquisition. The method presented in this investigation facilitates the configuration of kV‐CBCT beams for imagingdose calculations in a radiotherapytreatment planning system.
Do Fixed Exchange Rates Cause Greater Integration

A classic argument in favor of a fixed exchange rate regime (ERR) has been the promotion of international trade between the pegging country and its base country. Results from previous literature point to a significant and highly positive effect of adopting a fixed ERR on bilateral trade between any given country pair. In this paper, it is argued that these results should not be interpreted as causal effects, since countries do not typically choose their ERR independently of their trade flows. This source of selection bias can be greatly reduced by using the matching approach in estimating treatment effects. Estimates of the effect of fixed ERR using this procedure are close to the ordinary least squares estimates reported in the literature, suggesting that there is little bias in these conventional estimates. These findings are robust to using different propensity score matching methods.
Depth-of-interaction determination in NaI(Tl) and BGO scintillation crystals using a temperature gradient

Abstract A method for determining the depth of interaction in both NaI(Tl) and BGO crystals is investigated. This technique takes advantage of the relationship between temperature and decay time in a scintillation crystal. The depth of interaction is ascertained by measuring the decay time in a crystal with a uniform temperature gradient applied along its depth. The application of determining the depth of interaction in positron emission tomography scanners is discussed.
A Brief Form of the Ethnic Identity Scale: Development and Empirical Validation

Theory and research have long indicated that ethnic-racial identity is a complex and multifaceted construct. However, there is a paucity of brief, easily administered measures that adequately capture this multidimensionality. Two studies were conducted to develop an abbreviated version of the Ethnic Identity Scale (EIS) and to explore its psychometric properties in the United States. In Study 1, the use of item-reduction techniques with a sample of adolescent Latinos (n = 323) resulted in a 9-item brief version of the EIS (EIS-B), including subscales of Exploration, Resolution, and Affirmation; furthermore, longitudinal analyses provided initial support for the construct validity of the subscales. In Study 2, the factor structure of the EIS-B was examined among an ethnically diverse sample of college students (n = 9,492), and findings provided support for strong measurement invariance across ethnic groups for the EIS-B. Together, findings from both studies provided preliminary evidence for the validity an...
The economics of external reporting: Three frameworks for the classroom

Abstract In this paper three frameworks are presented that can be used by accounting instructors to explain some of the economic issues surrounding the external reporting process. The first framework explains accounting numbers in terms of the relationships among capital providers, managers, and auditors. The second framework explains external reporting in terms of its role in determining capital market allocations. The third framework focuses on the policymaking process and the notion of “economic consequences.” In each case the framework is first described and then some suggestions are provided on how it might be used in the classroom. The frameworks have been developed for use in introductory, intermediate, and advanced accounting courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
DIFFERENTIAL 3ω METHOD FOR THERMAL MEASUREMENTS

The 3ω technique has been applied to measure thermal properties of thin films and suspended wires. In this article, we report the implementation and technical design of a 3ω system to measure the thermal conductivity in small dimension structures. Alternating current is applied to a line heater that dissipates power and varies its resistance. The 3ω voltage drop across the heater provides information that determines the thermal properties of the heater or of the adjacent material. A differential bridge is used to subtract the first harmonic voltage and systematic noise. We introduce the use of a synchronous detector associated with the differential bridge to obtain the in-phase and out-of-phase components of the third harmonic signal. The combination improves the bridge method for a broad range of frequency analysis that permits either thermal conductivity and/or heat capacity measurements.
Improved Confidence Intervals for the Variance of a Normal Distribution

Abstract In considering the problem of confidence estimation for the variance of a normal distribution, Tate and Klett [5] raise two questions. “Does the interval of shortest length based on (, S2) depend only on ” (S2 denotes the sum of squared deviations.) “Among those intervals based only on S2 is the interval of shortest length necessarily of the form ” The answer to the first question is no; to the second, yes. The results are given for the general linear hypothesis model of rank p. The amount of improvement of new intervals is discussed.
Bodily Remembering: Memory, Place, and Understanding Latino Folk Illnesses among the Amuzgos Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico

This paper takes the theoretical construct of popular nosology of Latino folk illnesses and combines it with Edward Casey’s concept of bodily remembering in order to more fully describe the role of memory and place in the illness experiences of the Amuzgos Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. I ethnographically describe, across time, the interrelated links among social events, physical symptoms, and illness narratives of Latino folk illness popular nosologies as they are contextualized in their unique, social topographies. This enlarged theoretical perspective implies a smallest unit of meaning that is ethnographically defined, but that will often encompass more than the individual sufferer and more than one illness. The research objective of this study was to understand Amuzgan illness experiences through the narratives of detailed case histories and ethnographic observations that were gathered during 18 months of qualitative research. The data show that Amuzgos experience Latino folk illnesses as bodily rememberings of illness events combined with negative interpersonal interactions. Healing these Latino folk illnesses implies curing bodies, households, social relationships, and living environments.
Cloning and Genomic Organization of the Human Transforming Growth Factor-β Type I Receptor Gene

Abstract Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) regulates cell cycle progression by a unique signaling mechanism that involves its binding to the type II (TβR-II) TGFβ receptor and activation of type I (TβR-I). Both are transmembrane serine-threonine receptor kinases. As various types of human tumor cells are often refractory to TGFβ-mediated cell cycle arrest, it is likely that the TβR-I receptor is inactivated in many of these cases. We determined the intron–exon organization of theTGFBR1gene. We report here that this gene is approximately 31 kb in length and consists of nine exons. The organization of the segment of theTGFBR1gene that encodes the C-terminal portion of the serine-threonine kinase domain appears to be highly conserved between members of the R-I gene family. This information should facilitate and expedite the structural analysis ofTGFBR1in human tumors and possibly other disease states.
Kinetic and Quantitative Relationships between Insulinc Release and 65Zn Efflux from Perifused Islets

The kinetics of zinc release and insulin secretion were compared in perifused islets previously loaded for 24 h with 65Zn. In the absence of detectable insulin secretion, fractional basal 65Zn release was constant at 3–5%/h throughout the experimental periods, suggesting that basal efflux of zinc is primarily from a single extragranular compartment. Glucose (25 mm) alone caused a prompt release of both 65Zn and insulin. Previous studies using cell fractionation showed that approximately one third of islet 65Zn is in the granular fraction. Thus, if zinc efflux represents only that being cosecreted from the granule, a 65Zn to insulin fractional secretion ratio of approximately 0.33 would be expected. However, the ratio of 65Zn to insulin fractional secretion was only 0.16, indicating that glucose not only causes cosecretion of zinc associated with stored insulin, but also independently decreases 65Zn efflux from extragranular sources. At low glucose concentrations, 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX; 1 mm) d...
An evaluation of the Health Behavior Inventory-20 (HBI-20) and its relationships to masculinity and attitudes towards seeking psychological help among college men.

The purpose of this study was to explore the factor structure and assess the reliability of the Health Behavior Inventory-20 (HBI-20), and to assess its relationships with several measures of masculine gender socialization constructs and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Three hundred and
A light intensity function suitable for multimode fiber-optic sensors

Intensity distribution functions on the image plane are derived under the assumption that a multimode optic fiber is illuminated by a light source which can be approximated by infinite uniangular beams carrying equal power. The application of the theory to a Lambertian source is discussed. Experimental results, based on the observation of the light intensity distribution imaged on an opaque screen and collected by a digital camera, are presented. The theoretical and experimental data are compared to verify that the intensity function is an accurate model for describing the realistic approach to sensor design. The limitations of the uniangular and uniform intensity distribution models are discussed on the basis of theoretical and experimental results. >
Ectodermal-mesodermal interactions in the growth of limb buds in the chick embryo: constancy and temporal limits of the ectodermal induction.

Abstract Heterochronous recombinations were made using chick embryo limb-bud mesoblasts and ectodermal hulls of differing developmental stages. Any functional apical ectodermal ridge (AER) was found to induce outgrowth of limb parts in the responding mesoderm in their proper proximodistal sequence, regardless of the relative ages of the ectoderm and mesoderm. It is concluded, therefore, that the inductive signal emanating from the AER remains qualitatively constant from stage to stage and from level to level during limb-bud outgrowth; information for proper sequencing of level-specific patterns in the limb must therefore be programmed intrinsically within the mesoderm. The AER loses the capacity to induce complete limbs from young limb-bud mesoblasts during stage 29. Recombination of a young ectodermal hull with older mesoderm does not accelerate the loss of function by the AER and, conversely, it is unlikely that prolonged association with young mesoderm can prolong the period of the AER's inductive potency. Loss of function thus occurs on a schedule that is determined intrinsically within the ectoderm and that is affected little or not at all by the stage of the underlying mesoderm.
Segregating Hard Red Winter Wheat into Dough Factor Groups Using Single Kernel Measurements and Whole Grain Protein Analysis

ABSTRACT In accordance with the Grain Quality Acts of 1986 and 1990, scientists at Kansas State University are studying the feasibility of implementing a quality-based marketing system for hard red winter (HRW) wheat in the Southern Plains. This research addresses the development of a segregation system that uses the single kernel characterization system and the whole grain near-infrared analyzer to evaluate the milling and baking quality of wheat as a single value called “dough factor”. This single value represents the amount of flour-water dough that can be produced from a given unit of wheat. Samples of HRW wheat (≈100 per location) were collected at five Kansas country elevators during the 1995 and 1996 harvests. After the dough factor was measured for individual samples, the samples were composited into seven dough factor groups to establish binning and segregation strategies and to explore the relationship between wheat quality measurements and dough factor groups. Results showed that dough factor g...
A sensitive integrating fast neutron dosimeter based on TSEE

Abstract A new method for integrating fast neutron dosimetry using thermally stimulated exoelectron emission from pairs of ceramic beryllium oxide discs, of which one has been covered with a non-hydrogenous material (graphite), and the other with a hydrogenous material (polyethylene), is described. The difference in the radiation effect recorded in the detectors due to the contribution of recoil protons permits to detect low fast neutron doses with a sensitivity increasing from 18 to 28% of the gamma radiation sensitivity in the 0.1 to 16 MeV neutron energy range.
Influence of early day-care exposure on total IgE levels through age 3 years

Background Early day care is inversely associated with asthma and atopy in later childhood, but its association with early immunologic markers of asthma risk is not known. Objective We sought to assess the relation of day care by 3 months to total IgE levels through age 3 years. Methods Day care was assessed prospectively among 362 nonselected infants enrolled in the Infant Immune Study. Children were categorized based on day-care status by 3 months of age as follows: no day care, day care inside the home with other children, day care outside the home with no other children, or day care outside the home with other children. Total IgE levels were measured in blood obtained at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months. Relations between day care and IgE levels were assessed at each age and longitudinally, with stratification by maternal asthma and atopy. Results Day care by 3 months was associated with decreased IgE levels through age 3 years (coefficient: −0.19 log IU/mL, P = .001). The greatest effect was evident for children cared for outside the home. Stratified analyses indicated that the relation existed primarily among children who had atopic or asthmatic mothers. Day-care entry after 3 months showed no relation with IgE levels. Conclusion Day-care attendance by 3 months is associated with decreased total IgE levels in the first 3 years of life in children of mothers who are atopic, asthmatic, or both. Clinical implications Early day-care exposure can reduce IgE levels, which in turn might reflect a reduced risk of allergic disease in predisposed children.
Sound Strategies for Hearing Restoration

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans, with some estimates suggesting up to 300 million affected individuals worldwide. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to hearing loss and can cause death of sensory cells and neurons. Because these cells do not regenerate, the damage tends to accumulate, leading to profound deafness. Several biological strategies to restore auditory function are currently under investigation. Owing to the success of cochlear implants, which offer partial recovery of auditory function for some profoundly deaf patients, potential biological therapies must extend hearing restoration to include greater auditory acuity and larger patient populations. Here, we review the latest gene, stem-cell, and molecular strategies for restoring auditory function in animal models and the prospects for translating these approaches into viable clinical therapies.
Clopidogrel for smokers and aspirin for nonsmokers?: not so fast.

New data solidify a “smoker's paradox” for clopidogrel, with current smokers appearing to respond better than nonsmokers. However, the clinical implications of this finding are unclear. This Commentary discusses the new data and puts it into clinical context. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2014); 95 6, 585–587. doi:10.1038/clpt.2014.52
The Bergé–Martinet Constant and Slopes of Siegel Cusp Forms

We give a theoretical lower bound for the slope of a Siegel modular cusp form that is as least as good as Eichler's lower bound. In degrees $n=5,6$ and 7 we show that our new bound is strictly better. In the process we find the forms of smallest dyadic trace on the perfect core for ranks $n \le 8$ . In degrees $n=5,6$ and 7 we settle the value of the generalized Hermite constant $\gamma_n'$ introduced by Berge and Martinet and find all dual-critical pairs.
‘Solubility parameters’ in coal and coal liquefaction products

‘Solubility parameter’ spectra have been used in polymer research to determine the characteristics of cross-linked polymer systems. Cross-linked systems are not soluble in any solvent. Instead, solvent is imbibed by the cross-linked polymer and causes it to swell. The ‘solubility parameter’ of the solvent which causes maximum swelling is identified as that of the cross-linked material. Coal can be thought of as having some characteristics of a cross-linked system1,2. That is, when immersed in a solvent with which it interacts, it will swell. In addition, coal contains extractable material. If coal is regarded as a ‘multipolymer’, this extractable matter can be thought of as the uncross-linked portion of the coal. Swelling spectra have been taken for untreated coal and coal from which some extractable matter has been removed, which partly suppresses swelling. This extractable matter can be thought of as similar to the uncross-linked coal molecule. Its structure can therefore be used to model the coal matrix itself, to determine the coal structure without using destructive chemical methods to break the coal apart. Dissolution spectra for both the coal extract and the coal liquefaction products from the PAMCO and Synthoil processes were taken. A set of mixed solvents with effective ‘solubility parameters’ ranging from 14.3 to 47.9 MPa1/2 (7.0 to 23.4 hildebrands) was used. The behaviours of the coal extract and coal liquid products show striking similarities, leading us to believe that molecules similar to those found in liquefaction products already exist in the virgin coal and that hydrogenation products reflect the properties of the starting material.
Preservation of differences in social versus non-social positive affect in children exposed to war

No research to date has supported the ‘social contagion’ effect of laughter and smiles in a non-Western context, nor among children. Expressions of positive affect were here compared according to social and non-social conditions among 163 children between the ages of 5–12 while playing in a park in Afghanistan. Independent observers coded laugh and smile responses using published criteria and identified 147 laugh responses and 697 smile responses. Children in the social play condition demonstrated significantly more laughs than children in the non-social play condition, and the number of peer observers present in the social play condition significantly increased the number of participant smile responses, but not laugh responses. Findings supported the idea in Western research that laughter and smiles may function in moderating social relationships and communicating affect. The authors recommend future research to investigate the relationship between positive affect and well-being across cultures, with con...
Acrosome intact and acrosome-reacted human sperm can initiate binding to the zona pellucida

Mammalian sperm must be acrosome reacted before penetrating the zona pellucida. In some species the sperm undergo the acrosome reaction before binding to the zona pellucida and in other species only acrosome intact sperm can initiate binding to the zona. In this study we addressed the question of acrosomal status and sperm-zona binding with human gametes. Sperm acrosome reactions were induced by treatment with human follicular fluid or N-(6-amino-hexyl)-5-chloro-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7). The sperm suspensions, containing various percentages of acrosome-reacted sperm, were then incubated with human oocytes for 1 min. The acrosomal status of the sperm population bound to the zona was similar to the acrosomal status of the population of sperm in suspension (R2 = 0.77), regardless of the treatment to induce acrosome reactions. Our interpretation of these results is that both acrosome intact and acrosome-reacted human sperm can initiate binding to the zona pellucida. However, we reported earlier (N. L. Cross, P. Morales, J. W. Overstreet, and F. W. Hanson, 1988, Biol. Reprod. 38, 235-244) that the human zona pellucida is able to induce acrosome reactions. Thus, to exclude the possibility that sperm had undergone the acrosome reaction on the zona within 1 min of binding, sperm were suspended in a nominally calcium-free Tyrode's medium (0 Ca-mTyr) before incubation with oocytes (this medium was supplemented with SrCl2 and spermine to support sperm motility and zona binding). In 0 Ca-mTyr, the proportion of acrosome-reacted sperm on the zona was still highly correlated with the proportion of reacted sperm in suspension, indicating that the sperm were reacted before binding. Evidence that 0 Ca-mTyr effectively inhibited acrosome reactions induced by the zona pellucida was derived from experiments in which sperm were treated with human follicular fluid or control medium and the suspensions were diluted with either 0 Ca-mTyr or control medium.4+ Human oocytes were added for 1 min (pulse) at which time some oocytes were fixed and other oocytes were transferred to sperm-free medium and incubated for 35 min (chase) before fixation. Sperm diluted in control medium, pretreated with either human follicular fluid or control medium, showed a similar increase (40%) in the percentage of acrosome reactions among the zona-bound sperm after the chase. Sperm diluted in 0 Ca-mTyr did not show an increase in the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm on the zona pellucida after the chase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A verification exercise in multiphysics simulations for coupled reactor physics calculations

Abstract The modeling of nuclear reactors involves the solution of a multiphysics problem with various time and length scales. Mathematically, this requires solving a system of coupled, nonlinear, stiff, Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). This paper deals with the verification aspects associated with a multiphysics code, i.e., the substantiation that the mathematical description of the multiphysics equations are solved correctly (in time and space). Multiphysics applications have the added complexity that the solution field participates in various physics components, potentially yielding spatial and/or temporal coupling errors. We present a multiphysics framework that tightly couples the various physical models using the Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov technique (JFNK) and show that high-order convergence can be achieved in both space and time. Code verification results are provided.