cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-reported social functioning and social cognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Using ecological momentary assessment to identify the origin of bias.

Abstract Objectives People with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar illness (BPI) generate self-reports of their functioning that diverge from objective information. It has been suggested that these participants do not base such reports on daily experiences, relying on other information. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to sample socially relevant daily activities in SCZ and BPI and related them to self-reported and observer-rated social functioning and social cognitive ability. Methods 71 people with (BPI) were compared to 102 people with SCZ. Participants were sampled 3 times per day for 30 days with a smartphone-based survey. Each survey asked where they were, with whom they were, what they were doing, and if they were sad. Participants and observers were asked to provide ratings on social functioning and social cognitive abilities at the end of the EMA period. Results There was no association between being home or alone and self-reports of everyday social functioning. In contrast observer ratings were highly correlated with the momentary survey results. Reports of very low levels of sadness were associated with overestimated functioning and participants who were commonly home and alone rated their social functioning as better than participants who were commonly away in the presence of others. Implications Both SCZ and BPI were marked by a disconnect between momentary experiences and self-reports. The largest effect was overestimation of functioning by participants who reported no sadness. Experience appears important, as participants who were routinely home and alone reported better social functioning than participants who spent more time others.
Impact of executive functioning on health-related quality of life of pediatric brain tumor survivors.

BACKGROUND Brain tumor survivors are at risk for significant late effects following treatment completion that may adversely impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The current study examines the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and HRQOL in pediatric brain tumor survivors within a longitudinal framework. We hypothesized that early deficits in EF would be related to less optimal HRQOL in this population. PROCEDURE The current study utilized retrospective medical chart review to identify neurocognitive correlates of HRQOL in 137 youth previously treated for a pediatric brain tumor. Participants completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and neuropsychological assessment, including a well-validated measure of executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF). General linear regression and multivariate models were utilized to examine the relationship between child executive functioning and HRQOL. RESULTS Multiple domains of child executive functioning, as reported by parents on the BRIEF, significantly predicted parent-proxy reported HRQOL after controlling for demographic and medical covariates, including child intellectual functioning (IF). Similarly, after controlling for covariates, the BRIEF Cognitive Regulation Index was a significant predictor of self-reported physical and school functioning domains of HRQOL. CONCLUSION Current data demonstrate EF is a significant predictor of HRQOL during survivorship for youth previously diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. Results suggest that opportunities may exist to intervene and improve HRQOL of pediatric brain tumor survivors by targeting EF.
Molecular Systems Predict Equilibrium Distributions of Phenotype Diversity Available for Selection

Two long-standing challenges in theoretical population genetics and evolution are predicting the distribution of phenotype diversity generated by mutation and available for selection and determining the interaction of mutation, selection, and drift to characterize evolutionary equilibria and dynamics. More fundamental for enabling such predictions is the current inability to causally link population genetic parameters, selection and mutation, to the underlying molecular parameters, kinetic and thermodynamic. Such predictions would also have implications for understanding cryptic genetic variation and the role of phenotypic robustness. Here we provide a new theoretical framework for addressing these challenges. It is built on Systems Design Space methods that relate system phenotypes to genetically-determined parameters and environmentally-determined variables. These methods, based on the foundation of biochemical kinetics and the deconstruction of complex systems into rigorously defined biochemical phenotypes, provide several innovations that automate (1) enumeration of the phenotypic repertoire without knowledge of kinetic parameter values, (2) representation of phenotypic regions and their relationships in a System Design Space, and (3) prediction of values for kinetic parameters, concentrations, fluxes and global tolerances for each phenotype. We now show that these methods also automate prediction of phenotype-specific mutation rate constants and equilibrium distributions of phenotype diversity in populations undergoing steady-state exponential growth. We introduce this theoretical framework in the context of a case study involving a small molecular system, a primordial circadian clock, compare and contrast this framework with other approaches in theoretical population genetics, and discuss experimental challenges for testing predictions.
Relationship Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College: By Peter Felten and Leo M. Lambert, 2020. Johns Hopkins University Press, 187 pages, ISBN 9781421439360, Hardback, $39.95

When I came across this book, my first thought was that the premise was a bit obvious. Relationships are important to student success. One would be hard pressed to find a less controversial positio...
Tracking the Impact of Fake News on US Election Cycles

Access to accurate information is paramount to sound decision-making, improves societal trust in governmental and civil society structures and builds civic unity. Disinformation impacts societies' well-being, physical and mental health, financial welfare and even the ability to withstand external aggression. Changes in the way that individuals acquire information resulted in new approaches to influence society. In politics, disinformation is a growing concern, threatening the credibility of democratic processes. This paper investigated the degree to which misinformation was present during recent US election years by analyzing data on two major social media platforms. The findings show that such events are connected to increases in disinformation activity despite efforts taken by social media companies.
Unusual Cases of Anti-SRP Necrotizing Myopathy with Predominant Distal Leg Weakness and Atrophy

Abstract Anti-SRP necrotizing myopathy is classically characterized by subacute or chronic, severe, progressive and symmetric myositis which predominantly affects proximal muscles. Herein, we report two unusual cases presenting with predominantly distal, asymmetric weakness, with selective involvement of the posterior compartment of the thighs, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles, in addition to inflammation and edema on STIR or T2-weighted, fat-saturated MRI. In each case, creatine kinase (CK) levels were > 10 times normal and myositis panels returned positive for anti-SRP. ANA, ENA, RF, and HMGCR antibody were all negative. Nerve conduction study (NCS) was normal. Electromyography (EMG) confirmed diffuse myopathy with fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves. Additional work up, including whole exome sequencing (WES), immunohistochemical staining for different types of muscular dystrophy, and western blot for calpain 3 and dysferlin were negative. The strength and CK levels of both patients markedly improved following immunosuppression. Our cases emphasize the importance of considering anti-SRP necrotizing myopathy in patients presenting with recent onset predominant asymmetric distal leg weakness of unclear etiology, and support the usefulness of MRI of the distal legs for early recognition. Given the potential consequences of delays in treatment of this condition, the recognition of this clinical pattern is important and can allow for prompt initiation of aggressive immunotherapies.
On the People's Terms: A Republican Theory and Model of Democracy

Introduction: the republic, old and new 1. Freedom as non-domination 2. Social justice 3. Political legitimacy 4. Democratic influence 5. Democratic control Conclusion: the argument, in summary.
Is there a Role for Cardiac Telemetry in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: Two Case Reports of Convulsive Cardiac Asystole Previously Mistaken for Seizure Disorders (P2.096)

OBJECTIVE: We would like to propose a standardized role for continuous cardiac telemetry (CCT) in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), based on two cases of asystole-induced convulsive syncope during long-term video-electroencephalography (LTVEEG). BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrhythmia and asystole are well recognized phenomena in patients undergoing LTVEEG. Increasingly, studies are investigating the relationship between cardiac arrhythmia and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. However, the current monitoring protocols used in many EMUs nationwide do not require routine CCT. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a case study of two patients who experienced convulsive syncope secondary to cardiac asystole in EMU. Neither patient had a known history of cardiac disorders. RESULTS: Case 1: An 85 year-old male presented to EMU for characterization of shaking spells. We captured an event where the patient was unresponsive, had upward gaze deviation, and shook in all four extremities. During the event, the EEG showed diffuse attenuation, and the one-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showed atrioventricular block leading to 40 seconds of asystole. The patient recovered without adverse events. He was referred to Cardiology and underwent pacemaker placement the next day. Case 2: A 57 year-old female presented to EMU for characterization of seizure like episodes. On day two of admission, she felt dizzy and became unresponsive. She began to have twitching of the left side of her mouth and a full body myoclonic jerk at the end of the event. During the event, the background EEG activity was completely suppressed, and the one-lead ECG showed bradycardia evolving to 37 seconds of asystole. The patient recovered without complication. She was referred to Cardiology and underwent pacemaker placement the following day. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly advocate for CCT as part of a standardized protocol for patients undergoing EMU admissions to mitigate the potential mortality from cardiac events associated with seizures or from previously unrecognized cardiac conditions. Disclosure: Dr. Fu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lehnhoff has nothing to disclose.
Structural and functional properties of calf thymus DNA polymerase delta.

Publisher Summary The chapter describes some of the recent studies with DNA polymerase δ from calf thymus. The major topics discussed include (a) evidence that 3‘-to-5’ exonuclease activity is an intrinsic property of DNA polymerase δ; (b) structural properties of the enzyme; (c) evidence that the 3’-to-5’ exonuclease activity has a proof-reading function; and (d) inhibitor studies. The present studies clearly demonstrate that DNA polymerase δ has an associated 3’-to-5’ exonuclease activity. This finding establishes that DNA polymerase δ is a unique enzyme, distinct from other known mammalian DNA polymerases (α, β, γ). The chapter further describes that the 3’-to-5’ exonuclease activity associated with DNA polymerase 6, similar to those of lower eukaryotes and prokaryotes, has a proofreading function. The presence of a proofreading exonuclease in both higher and lower eukaryotic DNA polymerases suggests that the mechanism by which the accuracy of DNA replication is maintained in eukaryotes may be similar to that of prokaryotes. Finally, although inhibitor studies suggest that either DNA polymerase δ or α, or both, may be involved in DNA replication, a biological role for either enzyme in DNA replication remains to be demonstrated.
The Clay Minerals in Soils

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the crystal structure, configuration, and functions of clay minerals. Clay mineralogy and clay physicochemistry have been developed almost entirely during the past decades. Clay mineral crystals are reactive crystalline solids. They are extremely flexible, flimsy, and fragile. The reactions of clay minerals are determined by the amount and nature of their external, internal, and voided surfaces. Clays are most commonly composed of the mixtures of one or more of the clay minerals with free oxides of silicon and free sesquioxides. Much of the material in these mixtures is composed of crystalline particles too small to be observed by the best optical microscope. Such mixtures are difficult to analyze. The methods used in the identification and estimation of the clay minerals include chemical, optical, thermal dehydration, electron microscopic, and X-ray diffraction. Clay minerals possess extremely large surface areas. These surfaces provide soils with vast capacities to store sorbed water, organic compounds, and plant nutrient elements. The functioning of clay minerals as a reservoir for water and available plant nutrient elements and the functioning of these minerals in the intricate reactions involved in water–nutrient–plant relationships are discussed in the chapter. All clay materials—through their binding action—provide anchorage for plant roots by holding the small masses of soil together in the form of structural aggregates.
Affinity-Based Profiling of Dehydrogenase Subproteomes

The high cost of drug discovery and development requires more efficient approaches to the identification and inhibition of tractable protein targets. One strategy is to pursue families of proteins that already possess affinity for a drug lead scaffold, where that scaffold plays the dual role of serving: (a) when tethered to a resin, as a ligand to purify a subproteome of interest, and (b) as a lead molecule that has the potential for optimization for a given member of the subproteome. Here, we describe the former application, the purification of a subproteome using a scaffold tailored to the dehydrogenase family of enzymes. Combined with modern LC-MS/MS and subsequent searching of proteome databases, such affinity chromatography strategies can be used to purify and identify any proteins with affinity for the scaffold molecule. The method is exemplified using the CRAA (Catechol Rhodanine Acetic Acid) privileged scaffold, which is tailored to dehydrogenases. CRAA affinity column chromatography, combined with LC-MS/MS, is described as a method for profiling dehydrogenase subproteomes.
Studying fungal virulence by using genomics.

This chapter makes evident, genomics, in particular genomic microarrays, hold great promise for mycological research. To this end, the chapter covers the current state of fungal genome sequencing and the advantages of and obstacles to using this emerging data for genomic projects, the "pregenomic" methods used for finding in vivo-expressed genes and how these efforts provide intellectual support for expression profiling studies, and a discussion of options for microarray development. It reviews a few selected microarray-based studies directly relevant to fungal pathogenesis. The process by which chromosome III and the rest of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome was sequenced produced extremely high-quality sequence data, in terms of both accuracy and completeness. Like differential display, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) is a simple idea backed by complicated molecular biology. Indeed, in the SAGE study of Cryptococcus from rabbit cerebrospinal fluid 35% of the tags found only in vivo are orphans. Microarray analysis of phagocytosed Candida albicans cells identified 36% of upregulated genes as unique to this species, roughly twice what would have been expected if the distribution was random. Genomics, along with proteomics, large-scale and signature-tagged mutagenesis, and sequencing efforts, have added powerful new approaches to our repertoire. Although most of these have not been fully utilized to date, the incorporation of these technologies into mycological studies will allow unprecedented progress in understanding the biology and pathology of these fascinating and important organisms.
Modulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase by 15 alpha-fluorolanost-7-en-3 beta-ol. A mechanism-based inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis.

Abstract The chemical synthesis and metabolic characteristics of the lanosterol analogue, 15 alpha-fluorolanost-7-en-3 beta-ol, are described. The 15 alpha-fluorosterol is shown to be a competitive inhibitor of the lanosterol 14 alpha-methyl demethylase (Ki = 315 microM), as well as substrate for the demethylase enzyme. Metabolic studies show that the 15 alpha-fluorosterol is converted to the corresponding 15 alpha-fluoro-3 beta-hydroxylanost-7-en-32-aldehyde by hepatic microsomal lanosterol 14 alpha-methyl demethylase but that further metabolic conversion to cholesterol biosynthetic intermediates is blocked by virtue of the 15 alpha-fluoro substitution. When cultured cells are treated with the fluorinated lanosterol analogue, a decrease in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase activity and immunoreactive protein was observed. However, when the lanosterol 14 alpha-methyl demethylase-deficient mutant cell line, AR45, is treated with the fluorosterol, no effect upon HMG-CoA reductase is observed. Thus, metabolic conversion of the sterol to its 32-carboxaldehyde analogue by the lanosterol 14 alpha-methyl demethylase is required for HMG-CoA reductase suppressor activity. Measurement of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels in 15 alpha-fluorosterol-treated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells reveals that mRNA levels are not decreased by the sterol as would be expected for a sterol regulator of HMG-CoA reductase activity. The decrease in HMG-CoA reductase protein is due to inhibition of enzyme synthesis, suggesting that the 15 alpha-fluorosterol reduces the translational efficiency of the reductase mRNA. Measurements of the half-life of HMG-CoA reductase show that, in contrast to other oxysterols, the 15 alpha-fluorolanostenol does not increase the rate of degradation of the enzyme. Collectively, these data support the premise that oxylanosterols regulate HMG-CoA reductase expression through a post-transcriptional process which may be distinct from other previously described sterol regulatory mechanisms.
Dielectric relaxation studies of x2 dye containing polystyrene films

The dielectric relaxation characteristics of narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene (PS) films containing the second order nonlinear optical dyes, 4-[N,N- dimethylamino]-4'-nitrostilbene (DANS) and 4-[N-ethyl, N- hydroxyethylamino]-4'-nitroazobenzene (DR1), at a level of 0.19 mole percent, are reported using time domain dielectric spectrometry. Measurements ranging from 10-4 to 10+4 Hz have allowed us to closely examine sub-Tg dipolar losses that are associated with the dye. It is seen that the frequency range over which dye relaxations occur are similar to those characteristic of the sub-Tg (beta) transition of polystyrene though with grossly different dispersion amplitudes. The dye relaxation time activation energies are 131 kJ/mol and 79 kJ/mol for DANS and DR1 respectively. The dye relaxation amplitudes do not follow predicted T-1 behavior. Extremely broad dispersion curves imply a broad distribution of relaxation times. With physical aging, little change in (beta) amplitude is seen though a narrowing of the relaxation time distribution function seems to occur. Our results indicate that in a poling experiment with near ambient temperature aging, sub-Tg (beta) losses will account for losing 17 - 20% dye orientation within a matter of seconds after field removal. Relaxations occurring over longer times arise from a combination of (alpha) and (beta) losses.
Abstract 323: Dronedarone Impairs Cardiac Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation in Dose-Dependent Manner

Introduction: Dronedarone (DR), a new antiarrhythmic drug, was recently shown to worsen heart failure (HF) and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation and left ventricular dysfunction. However, the mechanism underlying the adverse effect is not known. Since, myocardium depends on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), we hypothesized that DR impairs mitochondrial function, which could further compropmise energetic reserves predisposing to worsening of HF and death in patients with HF. Methods: Mitochondria isolated from rat heart (2 month old, SD) were treated with DR (1, 5, 10, 20, 50 μM), and the effect on oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in State 3 (St 3, ADP stimulated), State 4 (St 4o, oligomycin) and following FCCP addition were determined using Seahorse XF24 Analyzer in the presence of glutamate/malate (complex I substrates) and succinate/rotenone (complex II substrate). Results: DR dose dependently reduced St 3 respiration both in the presence of complex I (Fig). In the presence of glutamate/malate, DR inhibited OCR by 16%, 20%, 25%, 39% and 100% at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 μM, respectively, when compared to untreated control. At 20 μM, DR uncoupled mitochondria and increased St 4o respiration. DR at 50 μM was toxic with complete inhibition of OCR and loss of membrane potential. Similar results were observed when succinate/rotenone were used to assess complex II activity. Conclusion: DR has dose-dependent inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiration, inhibiting OXPHOS at low concentration (1-10 μM), uncoupling at higher (20 μM) and toxic effect at 50 μM. Impairment of mitochondrial energetics could explain DR results reported in HF patients in clinical trials. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Pollution Sources and Mortality Rates across Rural-Urban Areas in the United States.

Purpose: To conduct an assessment of rural environmental pollution sources and associated population mortality rates. Methods: The design is a secondary analysis of county-level data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture, National Land Cover Dataset, Energy Information Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Census, and others. We described the types of pollution sources present in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties and examined the associations between these sources and rates of all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and cancer mortality while controlling for age, race, and other covariates. Findings: Rural counties had 65,055 EPA-monitored pollution discharge sites. As expected, rural counties had significantly greater exposure to potential agriculture-related pollution. Regression models specific to rural counties indicated that greater density of water pollution sources was significantly associated with greater total and cancer mortality. Rural air pollution sources were associated with greater cancer mortality rates. Rural coal mining areas had higher total, cancer, and respiratory disease mortality rates. Agricultural production was generally associated with lower mortality rates. Greater levels of human development were significantly related to higher adjusted total and cancer mortality. Conclusions: The association between pollution sources and mortality risk is not a phenomenon limited to metropolitan areas. Results carry policy implications regarding the need for effective environmental standards and monitoring. Further research is needed to better understand the types and distributions of pollution in rural areas, and the health consequences that result.
Early predictors of sexual behavior: implications for young adolescents and their parents.

In this issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Marin and colleagues examine sixth- seventh- and eighth-grade characteristics as predictors of sexual activity in ninth grade among roughly 2500 students in California. The study provides empirical evidence of the independent contribution of nonsexual romantic relationships in the seventh grade to the onset of sexual intercourse by the ninth grade for both males and females. In addition it shows that among females seventh graders in serious relationships with older teenagers--uniquely defined as those two or more years older--have an increased likelihood of sex in the ninth grade. Finally the study demonstrates that seventh graders of both genders who have had serious romantic relationships were already significantly different in the sixth grade from those who have not: They had peers who were more accepting of sexual activity they had experienced more unwanted sexual advances and situations that could lead to sex (i.e. where parental monitoring is limited) and for females they had undergone earlier menarche. The findings suggest important aspects of the pathways to early sexual intercourse that have not typically been addressed in either school- or parent-based sex education programs. (excerpt)
The effect of antibiotics on agents of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma group. I. The effect of penicillin.

Aureomycin (Duggar, 1948) has been found to be very effective against agents of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma group in experimental infections (Wong and Cox, 1948; Wagner, 1949; Wells and Finland, 1949) as well as in numerous clinical trials as reported, among others, by Woodward (1949), Brainerd et al (1949) Wright et al (1948), Runyan et al (1949), and Robinson (1950). It is now generally agreed that aureomycin will replace penicillin and the sulfonamides in the treatment of psittacosis and lymphogranuloma ve-
Mechanical Systems that are both Classical and Quantum

Quantum dynamics can be regarded as a generalization of classical finite-state dynamics. This is a familiar viewpoint for workers in quantum computation, which encompasses classical computation as a special case. Here this viewpoint is extended to mechanics, where classical dynamics has traditionally been viewed as a macroscopic approximation of quantum behavior, not as a special case. When a classical dynamics is recast as a special case of quantum dynamics, the quantum description can be interpreted classically. For example, sometimes extra information is added to the classical state in order to construct the quantum description. This extra information is then eliminated by representing it in a superposition as if it were unknown information about a classical statistical ensemble. This usage of superposition leads to the appearance of Fermions in the quantum description of classical lattice-gas dynamics and turns continuous-space descriptions of finite-state systems into illustrations of classical sampling theory. A direct mapping of classical systems onto quantum systems also allows us to determine the minimum possible energy scale for a classical dynamics, based on a localized rate of state change. We use a partitioning description of dynamics to define locality, and discuss the ideal energy of two model systems.
Move your lamp post: Recent data reflects learner knowledge better than older data

In educational technology and learning sciences, there are multiple uses for a predictive model of whether a student will perform a task correctly or not. For example, an intelligent tutoring system may use such a model to estimate whether or not a student has mastered a skill. We analyze the significance of data recency in making such predictions, i.e., asking whether relatively more recent observations of a student's performance matter more than relatively older observations. We investigate several representations of recency, such as the count of prior practice in the AFM model, and the proportion of recent successes with exponential and box kernels. We find that an exponential decay of a proportion of successes provides the summary of recent practice with the highest predictive accuracy over alternative models. As a secondary contribution, we develop a new logistic regression model, Recent-Performance Factors Analysis, that leverages this representation of recent performance, and has higher predictive accuracy than existing logistic regression models.
Energy Expenditure, Aging and Body Composition

We investigated the importance of adaptive variations in energy expenditure in the regulation of energy balance in young and elderly men of normal body weight leading unrestricted lives. Changes were measured in total and resting energy expenditure and body composition in response to overeating by approximately 4.2 MJ/d or undereating by 3.3 MJ/d for 21 d in 39 young and elderly men consuming a typical diet. In the young men, an average of 85-90% of the excess energy intake during overeating was deposited. During underfeeding, mobilization of body energy compensated for an average of 65% of the energy deficit in these subjects
Characterization of two novel regulatory genes affecting Salmonella invasion gene expression

A Salmonella typhimurium chromosomal deletion removing approximately 19 kb of DNA at centisome 65 reduces invasion of cultured epithelial cells as well as the expression of lacZY operon fusions to several genes required for the invasive phenotype. As the deleted region contains no genes previously known to affect Salmonella invasion, we investigated the roles of individual genes in the deleted region using a combination of cloning, complementation and directed mutation. We find that the deletion includes two unrelated regulatory genes. One is the Salmonella homologue of Escherichia coli barA (airS ), which encodes a member of the multistep phosphorelay subgroup of two-component sensor kinases. The action of BarA is coupled to that of SirA, a member of the phosphorylated response regulator family of proteins, and includes both HilA-dependent and HilA-independent components. The other regulatory gene removed by the deletion is the Salmonella homologue of E. coli csrB, which specifies a regulatory RNA implicated in controlling specific message turnover in E. coli. These results identify a protein that is likely to play a key role in the environmental control of Salmonella invasion gene expression, and they also suggest that transcriptional control of invasion genes could be subject to refinement at the level of message turnover.
Instability of a half-space with frictional materials

The instability of an initially compressed half-space which consists of dilatant frictional materials is examined. It is assumed that the material response is governed by elastoplastic constitutive relations that include plastic compressibility (or dilatancy) and frictional effects, and hence involves a nonassociative flow rule. Stability limits are established, and it is shown that (unlike for elastic materials) for this class of materials folding by surface instability can be initiated at compressive forces that are considerably smaller than the initial shear modulus. The results are illustrated in terms of some published data on certain sandstones.
Nigerian Pidgin and the Languages of Southern Nigeria

Although several linguists have noted the similarities between the Atlantic Creoles and West African languages, none has systematically compared the structures of a geographically and genetically balanced sample of West African languages with a creolized language of the Atlantic Basin. This study examines the structural similarities between Nigerian Pidgin and all of the languages of southern Nigeria for which fairly comprehensive descriptions have been written to date. The results show that linguistic work on West African languages has progressed to the point where claims regarding the influence of these languages on Atlantic Creoles can be substantiated with concrete evidence from a truly representative sample of languages.
The Watchers' Whispers: Athenagoras's Legatio 25,1-3 and the Book of the Watchers

The passage 25,1-3 in Athenagoras's Legatio pro christianis , a writing replete with Greek philosophical and mythological material, seems to represent a retelling of a Jewish narrative, both biblical and pseudo-epigraphic, namely the myth of the Watchers. A thorough investigation of the passage from Legatio discloses that Athenagoras's version of the myth is closest to the first version of the narrative, namely to the Book of the Watchers . At the same time, the Athenian introduces Greek philosophical terminology and problems within his retelling of the myth. However, the most significant discovery is the fact that Athenagoras, employing especially Stoic psychological terms, investigates the way the fallen angels act within the human souls. In this way, one may say that the Athenian internalized the myth and conferred on it a psychological analysis. He was probably the first to undertake this kind of investigation—before Clement, Origen, and especially Evagrius, the latter being the one who articulated the most elaborate analysis of the psychological effects of the demonic influences.
Responses of Müller glia to retinal injury in adult zebrafish.

In an effort to identify the cellular events that enable neuronal regeneration in the vertebrate retina, the identity and characteristics of mitotic and apoptotic cells were examined in lesioned retinas of adult zebrafish. Following lesion a complex spatiotemporal pattern of mitosis was observed, including a delayed entry of Muller glia into the cell cycle. Characteristics of these proliferative Muller glia indicated they might serve as a stem/precursor cell of regenerated retina. The results suggested a model of retinal regeneration in which lesions are filled, in part, by a localized en place cytogenesis within intact retina surrounding the lesion site.
Prenatal cocaine exposure disrupts the development of the serotonergic system.

Abstract Prenatal cocaine exposure has been found to result in a number of neurobehavioral abnormalities in both clinical and laboratory studies. We have previously shown that cocaine inhibits the growth of developing serotonin neurons in culture. This study examines the effects of cocaine on the developing serotonin system in vivo. Pregnant rats were injected with cocaine (40 mg/kg s.c.) from gestational day 13 to parturition. One group of rats was additionally injected on postnatal days 1–5 with cocaine (10 mg/kg s.c.). [3H]Paroxetine, a selective ligand for the serotonin uptake carrier, was used to quantify serotonin terminal fiber density at one day, one week, and four weeks postnatal. Cocaine exposure was found to significantly decrease [3H]paroxetine-labelled sites and thus the density of serotonin fibers in the cortex and hippocampus at one day and one week postnatal. By four weeks postnatal, no significant effect was observed, indicating that a recovery had occurred. Serotonin immunocytochemistry performed at one month revealed normal fiber distribution in the cortex but a loss of fibers in the CA1 and CA2 hippocampal fields. Postnatal treatment alleviated the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure, resulting in [3H]paroxetine binding levels at one week which were comparable to and, in the cortex, even higher than those of saline controls. We conclude that cocaine delays the maturation of the serotonin system when administered prenatally but may accelerate maturation when administered both pre- and post- natally.
Buckyball-substrate interactions probed by STM and AFM

Abstract Submonolayers of buckyball molecules (C 60 ) on a gold substrate, deposited under ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) conditions, have been imaged in air using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). STM images show intramolecular contrasts within most individual C 60 molecules. AFM images of the C 60 molecules, often grouped in a hexagonal arrangement, show no atomic-scale features. A possible explanation for the presence or absence of the intramolecular contrasts in the images obtained with the STM and AFM, respectively, is given by a molecular orbital calculation.
PROOXIDANT DIET PROVIDES PROTECTION DURING MURINE INFECTION WITH TOXOPLASMA GONDII

Toxoplasmosis, particularly toxoplasmic encephalitis, has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus typically experience chronic oxidative stress, and concurrent infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii would be expected to further exacerbate this condition. The present study was conducted to determine whether vitamin E and selenium supplementation might be beneficial in a murine model of toxoplasmosis. To investigate the effect of these antioxidants on the severity of parasitic infection, Swiss Webster (SW) or C57Bl/6J mice infected with oocysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii were maintained on diets containing no vitamin E or selenium, no vitamin E and 8 ppm selenium, 400 IU/kg vitamin E plus 8 ppm selenium, or vitamin E and selenium at the levels present in standard rodent chow (16 IU/kg and 0.2 ppm, respectively). The results of the study showed that increased dietary ...
Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Damage and Forage Production of Winter Wheat

Effect of Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), damage on the forage production of susceptible and resistant cultivars of soft red winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was investigated in three experiments. Hessian fly damage reduced total dry matter yield of forage by 14 to 46%. Damage in all experiments was greatest during the first cutting when plants were in the seedling stage. Total forage yield declined linearly with increasing percentage of infested tillers when January infestations exceeded about 10%infested tillers. Low to moderate levels of Hessian fly damage reduced forage yield primarily by a reduction in tiller size and weight rather than tiller density. Severe infestations reduced tiller size and density. Hessian fly damage did not greatly affect crude protein or acid detergent fiber content of forage. Our study documents the potential risk of severe Hessian fly damage to wheat forage production. The economic benefit of using host plant resistance to control the Hessian fly in winter wheat grown for forage averaged $105/ha in these studies.
The little bag

Abstract A quark bag model for nucleons and isobars is made with pions existing only outside the bag. The pion field is introduced so as to ensure continuity of the axial-vector current at the boundary of the bag. It is argued that the bag can be quite small, of radius ∼ħ/ m n c where m n is the nucleon mass. The energy of the small bag is much larger than m n c 2 , but self-energy processes, especially those involving the pion, are invoked in order to bring the nucleon energy down to its physical value. The resulting theory looks very much like the old Yukawa theory for a pion with a small distributed source, the source now being described in terms of quarks.
Flowfield in the plane of symmetry below a delta wing

The flowfield in the plane of symmetry of a thin lifting delta wing with supersonic leading edges is examined for wings with apex angles that are comparable to the Mach angle, as well as for the limiting case of a straight leading edge. For these two cases, a simplified treatment of the interaction between the plane expansion wave emanating from the trailing edge and the three-dimensional bow shock is presented. In the region unaffected by the wing tips, the shock decays inversely with distance from the wing.
Optofluidic microchip with VCSELs and edge emitting laser sources

We discuss two approaches for integration of light sources into microfluidic chips. 780 nm VCSELs and fiber pigtailed edge emitting lasers are integrated for fluorescent measurements.
Climate Change Impact of Biochar Cook Stoves in Western Kenyan Farm Households: System Dynamics Model Analysis

Cook stoves that produce biochar as well as heat for cooking could help mitigate indoor air pollution from cooking fires and could enhance local soils, while their potential reductions in carbon (C) emissions and increases in soil C sequestration could offer access to C market financing. We use system dynamics modeling to (i) investigate the climate change impact of prototype and refined biochar-producing pyrolytic cook stoves and improved combustion cook stoves in comparison to conventional cook stoves; (ii) assess the relative sensitivity of the stoves' climate change impacts to key parameters; and (iii) quantify the effects of different climate change impact accounting decisions. Simulated reductions in mean greenhouse gas (GHG) impact from a traditional, 3-stone cook stove baseline are 3.50 tCO(2)e/household/year for the improved combustion stove and 3.69-4.33 tCO(2)e/household/year for the pyrolytic stoves, of which biochar directly accounts for 26-42%. The magnitude of these reductions is about 2-5 times more sensitive to baseline wood fuel use and the fraction of nonrenewable biomass (fNRB) of off-farm wood that is used as fuel than to soil fertility improvement or stability of biochar. Improved cookstoves with higher wood demand are less sensitive to changes in baseline fuel use and rely on biochar for a greater proportion of their reductions.
Assessment procedures for narcissistic personality disorder: a comparison of the personality diagnostic questionnaire-4 and best-estimate clinical judgments

This study examined the degree of correspondence between two assessments for narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in a mixed clinical and community sample--one using a self-report measure (Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4) and the other using clinical judgments derived from an assessment based on the longitudinal, expert, all data (LEAD) methodology. NPD scores demonstrated moderate convergence for the total scores but weak convergence for the individual criteria. The authors also examined the correlates created by each set of NPD scores using Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). The NPD scores demonstrated areas of convergence (e.g., Cooperativeness, Self-directedness) and divergence (i.e., Harm Avoidance, Novelty Seeking) with these personality scores. These divergences may be due to the wording of certain items on the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 NPD scale, which may require rewriting if it is to provide an assessment that is more highly convergent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders NPD construct.
A Brief Journey into the History of the Arterial Pulse

Objective. This paper illustrates the evolution of our knowledge of the arterial pulse from ancient times to the present. Several techniques for arterial pulse evaluation throughout history are discussed. Methods. Using databases including Worldcat, Pubmed, and Emory University Libraries' Catalogue, the significance of the arterial pulse is discussed in three historical eras of medicine: ancient, medieval, and modern. Summary. Techniques used over time to analyze arterial pulse and its characteristics have advanced from simple evaluation by touch to complex methodologies such as ultrasonography and plethysmography. Today's understanding of the various characteristics of the arterial pulse relies on our ancestors' observations and experiments. The pursuit of science continues to lead to major advancements in our knowledge of the arterial pulse and its application in diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease.
Distribution of Recirculating Lymphocytes: A Stochastic Model Foundation

Interest in mathematical immunology has been growing. This is reflected in the several monographs that have been published and the conferences that have been held lately. Examples of recent work are available in Bell, Perelson and Pimbley (1978), Merrill (1980), Mohler, Bruni and Gandolfi (1980), DeLisi (1983), Marchuk (1983), Marchuk and Belykh (1983), Marchuk, Belykh and Zuev (1985), and Mohler (1987). The mathematical study of events that are involved at the cellular level in transmission of information seems to be generally missing in the literature, the reference here being to the study of recirculation of lymphocytes. These events functionally interconnect many of the parts of the immune response by physically and biochemically conveying information and providing defense. This paper is concerned with a particular approximation for the distribution of recirculating lymphocytes. Besides the healthy state of an organism such distribution is also of significance for disease states. Any maldistribution could be a symptom of a disease, for example, in humans, Hodgkin’s disease, hepatitis B, psoriasis, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Thus quantification of the norm of distribution pattern, statistical analysis of the deviation from the norm and/or maldistribution, and modeling and identification of the models can be useful in diagnosis and estimation of disease severity, and in the classification and differential diagnosis of abnormalities in migratory patterns of lymphocytes.
Graphical determination of the Fourier series coefficients

ALMOST all of the many good textbooks on analysis of electric circuits include analysis of nonsinusoidal waves. Equations are usually given which determine the amplitude of each term of the Fourier trigonometric series. If the dependent variable can be expressed in terms of the independent variable, the familiar relations
A Simple Semi-supervised Algorithm For Named Entity Recognition

We present a simple semi-supervised learning algorithm for named entity recognition (NER) using conditional random fields (CRFs). The algorithm is based on exploiting evidence that is independent from the features used for a classifier, which provides high-precision labels to unlabeled data. Such independent evidence is used to automatically extract high-accuracy and non-redundant data, leading to a much improved classifier at the next iteration. We show that our algorithm achieves an average improvement of 12 in recall and 4 in precision compared to the supervised algorithm. We also show that our algorithm achieves high accuracy when the training and test sets are from different domains.
Freeze-fracture faces of inner and outer membranes of mitochondria

Abstract The concave and convex fracture faces of the inner and outer membranes of rat liver mitochondria have been studied. The patchwork pattern previously described from preparations of whole mitochondria was concluded to result from cleavage through sections of the outer membrane. The observed particle densities of concave and convex fracture faces of the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes differ and this difference may have functional significance. Thus, further studies of mitochondrial membrane surfaces using the technique of freeze-fracture will necessitate a prior separation of the inner membrane from the outer membrane.
Virulence regulation in Staphylococcus aureus: the need for in vivo analysis of virulence factor regulation

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic microorganism that is responsible for a wide variety of clinical infections. These infections can be relatively mild, but serious, life-threatening infections may result from the expression of staphylococcal virulence factors that are coordinated by virulence regulators. Much work has been done to characterize the actions of staphylococcal virulence regulators in broth culture. Recently, several laboratories showed that transcriptional analyses of virulence regulators in in vivo animal models or in human infection did not correlate with transcriptional analyses accomplished in vitro. In describing the differences between in vitro and in vivo transcription of staphylococcal virulence regulators, we hope to encourage investigators to study virulence regulators using infection models whenever possible.