cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrepancies Between Teacher- and Child- Reports of Proactive and Reactive Aggression: Does Prosocial Behavior Matter?

Although limited, previous research has demonstrated that informants differ on their reports of childhood aggression subtypes (i.e., proactive and reactive). Further research is needed to understand how discrepancies between reporters may be moderated by other variables and how these associations may change over time. This study examined discrepancies between teacher and student reports of proactive and reactive aggression over an academic year (fall to spring) and evaluated whether teachers’ perceptions of prosocial behavior moderate discrepancies among informants. Regression analyses were conducted in a sample of elementary school-aged youth (N = 310, mean age = 9.34, SD = 0.93) and their teachers (N = 17) twice over an academic year. T-test analyses indicated no difference in the magnitude of reporters’ discrepancies across time. However, correlations indicated stronger associations between child and teacher reports of reactive aggression from Fall to Spring. Analyses indicated a positive association between informant reports of reactive, but not proactive, aggression. High levels of prosocial behavior increased informant agreement for reactive aggression across regression methods employed. However, prosocial behavior only increased informant agreement when difference scores in proactive aggression were evaluated. Findings suggest that discrepancies between teacher and child reports of aggression may minimally change over time and that teachers and students are more similar in their reports of reactive than proactive aggression, particularly when teacher perceptions of prosocial behavior are high. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Introduction to the Utilities

A variety of databases, tools and platforms have created the foundation for digital scholarship in Chinese studies. The creators of some open-access projects introduce their work below, but first I offer some notes on the kinds of utilities that make up the expanding digital universe.
Cost Optimization of an Opportunity Charging Bus Network

This article focuses on reducing the battery size requirements of electric busses using battery charging and speed profile optimization. To minimize the energy consumption costs and the battery size, an opportunity charging city bus networks has been investigated. An electric bus architecture, traffic, weather, and road conditions, as well as the driver behaviors, have been modeled to simulate the overall system and predict energy consumption. The optimization algorithm is developed to determine the optimal driving cycle and the charging time on each bus stop. The algorithms are tested on case studies, which verified that the proposed approach reduces the energy consumption and battery size requirements of electric busses.
Cellular mRNA triggers structural transformation of Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 to its essential regulatory form.

The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 forms distinct structures linked to distinct functions in the virus life cycle. Dimeric VP40 is a structural protein associated with virus assembly, while octameric, ring-shaped VP40 is associated with transcriptional control. In this study, we show that suitable nucleic acid is sufficient to trigger a dynamic transformation of VP40 dimer into the octameric ring. Deep sequencing reveals a binding preference of the VP40 ring for the 3' untranslated region of cellular mRNA and a guanine- and adenine-rich binding motif. Complementary analyses of the nucleic-acid-induced VP40 ring by native mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and X-ray crystal structures at 1.8 and 1.4 A resolution reveal the stoichiometry of RNA binding, as well as an interface involving a key guanine nucleotide. The host factor-induced structural transformation of protein structure in response to specific RNA triggers in the Ebola virus life cycle presents unique opportunities for therapeutic inhibition.
Three-level Sleep Stage Classification Based on Wrist-worn Accelerometry Data Alone

Objective: The use of wearable sensor devices on daily basis to track real-time movements during wake and sleep has provided opportunities for automatic sleep quantification using such data. Existing algorithms for classifying sleep stages often require large training data and multiple input signals including heart rate and respiratory data. We aimed to examine the capability of classifying sleep stages using sensible features directly from accelerometers only with the aid of advanced recurrent neural networks. Materials and Methods: We analyzed a publicly available dataset with accelerometry data in 5s epoch length and polysomnography assessments. We developed long short-term memory (LSTM) models that take the 3-axis accelerations, angles, and temperatures from concurrent and historic observation windows to predict wake, REM and non-REM sleep. Leave-one-subject-out experiments were conducted to compare and evaluate the model performance with conventional nonsequential machine learning models using metrics such as multiclass training and testing accuracy, weighted precision, F1 score and area-under-the-curve (AUC). Results: Our sequential analysis framework outperforms traditional non-sequential models in all aspects of model evaluation metrics. We achieved an average of 65% and a maximum of 81% validation accuracy for classifying three sleep labels even with a relatively small training sample of clinical visitors. The presence of two additional derived variables, local variability and range, have shown to strongly improve the model performance. Discussion : Results indicate that it is crucial to account for deep temporal dependency and assess local variability of the features. The post-hoc analysis of individual model performances on subjects9 demographic characteristics also suggest the need of including pathological samples in the training data in order to develop robust machine learning models that are capable of capturing normal and anomaly sleep patterns in the population.
Automated Anomaly Detection via Curiosity-Guided Search and Self-Imitation Learning.

Anomaly detection is an important data mining task with numerous applications, such as intrusion detection, credit card fraud detection, and video surveillance. However, given a specific complicated task with complicated data, the process of building an effective deep learning-based system for anomaly detection still highly relies on human expertise and laboring trials. Also, while neural architecture search (NAS) has shown its promise in discovering effective deep architectures in various domains, such as image classification, object detection, and semantic segmentation, contemporary NAS methods are not suitable for anomaly detection due to the lack of intrinsic search space, unstable search process, and low sample efficiency. To bridge the gap, in this article, we propose AutoADe, an automated anomaly detection framework, which aims to search for an optimal neural network model within a predefined search space. Specifically, we first design a curiosity-guided search strategy to overcome the curse of local optimality. A controller, which acts as a search agent, is encouraged to take actions to maximize the information gain about the controller's internal belief. We further introduce an experience replay mechanism based on self-imitation learning to improve the sample efficiency. Experimental results on various real-world benchmark datasets demonstrate that the deep model identified by AutoAD achieves the best performance, comparing with existing handcrafted models and traditional search methods.
Structurally Mapping Antigenic Epitopes of Adeno-Associated Virus 9: Development of Antibody Escape Variants.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) serve as vectors for therapeutic gene delivery. AAV9 vectors have been FDA approved, as Zolgensma®, for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy and is being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of neurotropic and musculotropic diseases. A major hurdle for AAV-mediated gene delivery is the presence of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies in 40 to 80% of the general population. These pre-existing antibodies can reduce therapeutic efficacy through viral neutralization, and the size of the patient cohort eligible for treatment. In this study, cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction was used to define the epitopes of five anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); ADK9, HL2368, HL2370, HL2372, and HL2374, on the capsid surface. Three of these, ADK9, HL2370, and HL2374, bound on or near the icosahedral 3-fold axes, HL2368 to the 2/5-fold wall, and HL2372 to the region surrounding the 5-fold axes. Pseudo-atomic modeling enabled the mapping and identification of antibody contact amino acids on the capsid, including S454 and P659. These epitopes overlap with previously defined parvovirus antigenic sites. Capsid amino acids critical for the interactions were confirmed by mutagenesis followed by biochemical assays testing recombinant AAV9 (rAAV9) variants capable of escaping recognition and neutralization by the parental MAbs. These variants retained parental tropism and had similar or improved transduction efficiency compared to AAV9. These engineered rAAV9 variants could expand the patient cohort eligible for AAV9-mediated gene delivery by avoiding pre-existing circulating neutralizing antibodies. IMPORTANCE The use of recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) as delivery vectors for therapeutic genes is becoming increasingly popular, especially following the FDA approval of Luxturna® and Zolgensma®, based on serotypes AAV2 and AAV9, respectively. However, high titer anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies in the general population, exempts patients from treatment. The goal of this study is to circumvent this issue by creating AAV variant vectors not recognized by pre-existing neutralizing antibodies. The mapping of the antigenic epitopes of five different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on AAV9, to recapitulate a polyclonal response, enabled the rational design of escape variants with minimal disruption to cell tropism and gene expression. This study, which included four newly developed and now commercially available MAbs, provides a platform for the engineering of rAAV9 vectors that can be used to deliver genes to patients with pre-exiting AAV antibodies.
Spin-labeled Sulfonyl Fluorides as Active Site Probes of Protease Structure I. COMPARISON OF THE ACTIVE SITE ENVIRONMENTS IN α-CHYMOTRYPSIN AND TRYPSIN

Abstract α-Chymotrypsin and trypsin were spin-labeled with 14 ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted phenylsulfonyl fluorides. These analogues of tosylfluoride were substituted with either pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, or piperidinyl nitroxide moieties. A complete description of their synthesis and the enzyme inhibition studies is presented in the following paper (Wong, S. S., Quiggle, K., Triplett, C., and Berliner, L. J. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 1678–1682). The studies were designed to test for "dynamic conformational homologies" in these closely related proteins. However, the spectral results at pH 3.5 clearly showed that the active site conformations of trypsin and α-chymotrypsin were different. Model-building studies indicated which "tosyl" spin labels could bind isomorphously to tosyl-α-chymotrypsin. Several of those labels which were shown to be restricted structurally from binding in the chymotrypsin aromatic pocket were found upon exposure to saturated indole to give electron spin resonance spectra closely resembling those for trypsin. Those inhibitors which could theoretically bind in the pocket were affected least or not at all. With trypsin, on the other hand, 1 mm benzamidine produced no spectral shifts. A suggested model for α-chymotrypsin based on steric arguments provides for three general binding modes: (a) one isomorphous to tosylchymotrypsin, (b) one reflecting partial binding at the tosyl hole, and (c) one in a general region of the active site. Indole can displace the partially bound State b toward the general binding Mode c. This general Mode c is probably common to trypsin as well.
Coherent optical communications: opportunities & challenges

This paper explores the opportunities and challenges of developing coherent optical transceiver and modem technology and identifies digital and analog application areas of interest. Also, synchronous versus asynchronous detection, heterodyne versus homodyne detection, and on-off keying (OOK) versus complex signaling formats (e.g. Mary PSK or QAM) will be assessed from a system performance/hardware complexity perspective. The laser, modulator, balanced receiver and associated high-speed electronics challenges will be identified. This paper will also outline some of the current limitations of analog intensity modulation direct detection (IMDD) optical transmission systems and point out increasing opportunities for the use of coherent analog modulation and detection technology.
Measuring the Return on Spending on the Medicare HMO Program

I estimate the welfare provided by and net costs of the Medicare HMO program in 1999-2002. I measure welfare with a nested logit model of demand for Medicare HMO plans using detailed data on plan benefits. From this, I derive estimates of consumer surplus and find that total welfare provided by the program over the four-year period is about $61 billion (2000 $). I also use data on favorable selection enjoyed by Medicare HMOs to estimate net costs, which total about $21 billion (2000 $). Net welfare therefore totals nearly $40 billion and the return on spending is about 186%.
Sex Differences in Longevity and in Responses to Anti-Aging Interventions: A Mini-Review

A robust, often underappreciated, feature of human biology is that women live longer than men not just in technologically advanced, low-mortality countries such as those in Europe or North America, but across low- and high-mortality countries of the modern world as well as through history. Women's survival advantage is not due to protection from one or a few diseases. Women die at lower rates than men from virtually all the top causes of death with the notable exception of Alzheimer's disease, to which women are particularly prone. Yet, despite this robust survival advantage, women across countries of the world suffer worse health throughout life. The biological mechanisms underlying either longer female survival or poorer female health remain elusive and understudied. Mechanisms of mammalian biology, particularly with respect to aging and disease, are most easily studied in laboratory mice. Although there are no consistent differences in longevity between mouse sexes even within single genotypes, there are often substantial differences in individual studies, sometimes favoring females, other times males. Investigating the environmental causes of this puzzling variation in longevity differences could prove illuminating. Sex differences in response to life-extending genetic or pharmacological interventions appear surprisingly often in mice. Longevity enhancement due to reduced signaling through IGF-1 or mTOR signaling typically favors females, whereas enhancement via a range of pharmacological treatments favors males. These patterns could be due to interactions of the interventions with sex steroids, with adiponectin or leptin levels, or with the sex differences in immune function or the regional distribution of body fat. Clearly, generalizations from one sex cannot be extended to the other, and inclusion of both sexes in biomedical studies of human or other animals is worth the effort and expense.
Ancient Iconic Texts and Scholarly Expertise

This essay probes the origins of iconic textuality in the ancient Near East, informed by post-colonial perspectives on iconic texts. The surviving art and texts from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia exhibit at least four forms of iconic textuality: monumental inscriptions, portraits of scribes, displays and manipulations of ritual texts, and beliefs in heavenly texts. The spread of literacy did not displace the social prestige of scribal expertise that was established in antiquity. The every-growing number and complexity of texts accounts for the continuing cultural authority of scholarly expertise. The tension between expert and non-specialist uses of texts, however, explains scholarship’s avoidance of the subject of iconic books and texts while drawing constant attention to their semantic interpretation instead.
Selective Role of NFATc3 in Positive Selection of Thymocytes

The four Ca2+-dependent NFATc proteins are both signal transducers and transcription factors that reside in the cytoplasm until dephosphorylation by calcineurin. Dephosphorylation exposes nuclear import sequences and sends NFATc proteins into the nucleus where they assemble with nuclear partners into NFAT transcription complexes. Recent genetic studies have indicated that calcineurin-NFAT signaling is a major determinant of vertebrate morphogenesis and development. Mice lacking calcineurin activity show a complete block in positive selection of CD4 and CD8 double-positive thymocytes, yet the role of the NFATc proteins in T cell development has been controversial. In this study, we address the requirement for NFATc3 in T cell development by generating NFATc3 conditional knockout mice. We show that specific deletion of NFATc3 in thymocytes causes a partial block at the double-negative stage 3 and also a partial block in positive selection. Furthermore, the defect does not become more pronounced when NFATc2 is also absent, consistent with the fact that NFATc2-null mice do not have a T cell developmental defect. Expression of a nuclear (and constitutively active) NFATc1 even at subphysiological levels can rescue the transition of double-negative to double-positive thymocytes in RAG-null mice, but is unable to rescue development of CD4 and CD8 single-positive cells. In addition to NFATc3, this suggests a role for NFATc1 in T cell development. Our studies indicate that the signals that direct positive selection likely use both NFATc1 and NFATc3 downstream of calcineurin.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosis in the 21st Century

Abstract Context.—Rapid advances in understanding the molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia are transforming the approach to diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of these cases. Objective.—To briefly review the current state of AML classification with a particular emphasis on the role of molecular studies and their impact on the management of acute myeloid leukemia and other malignancies. Data Sources.—Current literature and experience of the authors. Conclusions.—While morphology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and clinical history continue to play an important role, an increasing number of molecular tests are now required to properly classify these cases.
Intraperitoneal pocket for left ventricular assist device placement.

Abstract Background: Implantation of the HeartMate Implanted Pneumatic or Vented Electric Ventricular Assist Device requires that the pump be implanted either in the peritoneal cavity or in the abdominal wall. Both sites have been problematic. Methods: We describe a new technique in which an intraperitoneal pocket is created, using Gore-Tex Dual Mesh Plus Biomaterial with Holes, to contain the ventricular assist device. This shields the ventricular assist device from the peritoneal contents and avoids abdominal wall dissection. Thirty consecutive patients who underwent implantation using this technique were compared with 16 patients who underwent implantation before this technique was in use. Results: Thirty consecutive patients underwent implantation, and 2 of those patients underwent re-implantation because of device failure (16/30 HeartMate Implanted Pneumatic, 14/30 HeartMate Vented Electric, and 2/14 HeartMate Vented Electric replaced with the HeartMate Implanted Pneumatic). Twenty-five patients have undergone explantation. Pocket infections in patients who have had implanted devices for >1 month decreased from 4 of 13 before the pockets were used to 1 of 25 with the intraperitoneal pockets (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.038). Two hernia repairs were required after explantation when the biomaterial pocket was used. A decrease in return to surgery for bleeding was noted after the pocket was used (7/16 without the pocket and 3/32 with the pocket; Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.010). Conclusions: Bleeding complications and pocket infections decreased in this early experience. Further study is necessary to confirm the apparent decrease in complication rate by using this new technique in this small cohort of patients.
Distributed deadlock detection

We describe a simple and efficient algorithm to detect deadlocks in distributed systems. In our model, processes requestN resources from a pool of sizeM. This is a generalization of the well-knownAND-OR request model. The algorithm is incrementally derived and proven correct. Its communication, computational, and space requirements are lower than those of the best previously known algorithms for the simplerAND-OR model.
Arachnoid ossificans containing metaplastic hematopoietic marrow resulting in diffuse thoracic intrathecal cysts and severe myelopathy

Objective To present a rare case of multiple compressive thoracic intradural cysts with pathologic arachnoid ossification, review the literature and present the surgical options.
Engineering by fundamental elements of evolution

The method presented in this note mimics two fundamental mechanisms from nature, growth, and development, for the synthesis of new three-dimensional structures. The structures were synthesized to support a load generated by a wind. Every structure grows from a single artificial cell following a set of genes, encoded in an artificial genome shared by all cells. Genes are a set of commands that control the growth process. Genes are regulated by interaction with the environment. The environment is both external and internal to the structure. The performance each structure is measured by its ability to hold the load and other additional engineering criteria. A population of structures is evolved using a genetic algorithm, which alters the genome of two mating individuals. We will present evolved phenotypes with high degrees of modularity and symmetry which evolved according to engineering criteria. Neither one of these two characteristics has been directly imposed as the fitness evaluation, but rather spontaneously emerge as a consequence of natural selection. We will argue that the types of rules we are using in this model are not biased toward any of these characteristics, but rather basic rules for growth and development.
Effect of inbreeding on juvenile mortality in some small mammal species

In breeding records for 12 species of small mammals from 9 families in 3 orders, individuals with an inbreeding coefficient of 0 were classified as non-inbred, those with inbreeding coefficients greater than 0 as inbred. Juvenile mortality was defined as all deaths prior to 1/2 of the age of sexual maturity for each species. It was significantly higher for inbred than for noninbred animals in 11 of the 12 species using a 1-tailed sign test, and by Fisher's exact test in 3 species. Monodelphis domestica, Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos and and Dolichotis salinicola. The higher mortality of inbred young of the species with the largest sample size, Elephantulus rufescens, was irrespective of litter size and of the parity of the dam.
Adult Honey Bees are not Susceptible to Infection by Nosema locustae

A total of 400 adult Apis mellifera L. were individually force fed sugar solution containing Nosema locustae Canning. After 26 days, any living bees were sacrificed. The thoracic tissues and the ventriculus of each of the 400 bees were examined for the presence of Nosema spores. A total of 5 spores was seen in 3 of the 400 ventriculi examined. No spores were seen in the thoracic tissues. N. locustae is not infective to adult honey bees exposed by direct ingestion.
The Diego factor in a Puerto Rican family: a case of anti-Diego in monozygotic twins.

THE Diego blood factor exists in many South American people having a substantial Indian admixture1. The following family is the first reported from Puerto Rico.
Regulatory interplay between soybean root and soybean cyst nematode during a resistant and susceptible reaction

Plant–parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are obligate parasites that feed on the roots of living host plants. Often, these nematodes can lay hundreds of eggs, each capable of surviving without a host for as long as 12 years. When it comes to wreaking havoc on agricultural yield, few nematodes can compare to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Quantifying soybean (Glycine max) transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) during a late–stage SCN resistant and susceptible reaction can shed light onto the systematic interplay between host and pathogen, thereby elucidating underlying cis–regulatory mechanisms. We sequenced the soybean root transcriptome at 6 and 8 days upon independent inoculation with a virulent and avirulent SCN population. Genes such as β–1,4 glucanase, chalcone synthase, superoxide dismutase and various heat shock proteins (HSPs) exhibited reaction–specific expression profiles. Several likely defense–response genes candidates were also identified which are believed to confer SCN resistance. To explore magnitude of TFBS representation during SCN pathogenesis, a multivariate statistical software identified 46 over–represented TFBSs which capture soybean regulatory dynamics across both reactions. Our results reveal a set of soybean TFBSs which are over–represented solely throughout a resistant and susceptible SCN reaction. This set furthers our understanding of soybean cis–regulatory dynamics by providing reaction–specific levels of over–representation at 6 and 8 days after inoculation (dai) with SCN.
Stresses on secondary systems due to piled-up groups of dislocations of arbitrary orientation

Abstract Stress-fields around piled-up groups of dislocations of arbitrary orientation have been calculated by replacing the discrete dislocations by a continuous distribution of infinitesimal dislocations. Previous calculations by Mitchell (1964) have been performed on edge and screw dislocation pile-ups. In the present paper the case of 60° dislocations has been considered in particular, since in face-centred cubic crystals the dislocations will lie parallel to the intersection of the primary and conjugate or critical slip planes. It is shown that the stress-fields on many secondary slip systems are large and are capable of producing secondary slip over distances of the order of the pile-up length. Considerable reduction of long-range stresses is possible by the formation of tangles of primary and secondary dislocations whose Burgers vectors add up to zero and by the formation of small angle tilt boundaries. It is necessary that the primary and secondary dislocation densities should be of the same order...
A network-reactive model for distributed telemicroscopy.

We have developed a network-reactive robotic telemicroscopy system that uses high-speed image processing and quality of service (QoS) feedback to maximize performance. In tests, four magnifications (4 x, 10 x, 40 x, 60 x ) of a section stained with haematoxylin and eosin were used. Up to 25 clients, distributed across two Internet domains, accessed the server. When given control of the microscope, any of the clients could direct the microscope to change focus and objectives within 3 s and move the stage to any x-y position within 1 s. Transmission rates of 50-200 kbit/s were achieved for video (320 x 240 pixels at 24 bit/pixel). Performance varied according to the complexity of the images being transmitted. The 25 simultaneous users were supported without affecting the operation of the server and the system overhead was relatively small. The server's message-processing time and the network transmission delay amounted to 83 ms. The compression ratio of five previously stored video-sequences ranged from 336:1 to 1213:1. The underlying model for this system could serve a wide range of telemedicine and distance-learning applications.
Blood - SeV derived fibroblast generated iPSCs

CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming System uses vectors based on replication in competent Sendai virus (SeV) to safely and effectively deliver and express key genetic factors necessary for reprogramming somatic cells into iPSCs. In contrast to many available protocols, which rely on viral vectors that integrate into the genome of the host cell, the CytoTune™ Reprogramming System uses vectors that are non-integrating and remain in the cytoplasm (i.e., they are zero-footprint). In addition, the host cell can be cleared of the vectors and reprogramming factor genes by exploiting the cytoplasmic nature of SeV and the functional temperature sensitivity mutations introduced into the key viral proteins. The CytoTune™-iPS Reprogramming Kit contains four SeV-based reprogramming vectors, each capable of expressing one of the four Yamanaka factors (i.e., Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) and are optimized for generating iPSCs from human somatic cells. The reprogramming vectors in this kit have been engineered to increase biological and environmental safety.
146 Amyloid fibril polymorphism probed by advanced vibrational spectroscopy

Amyloid fibrils are associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. All known amyloids including pathogenic and nonpathogenic forms display functional and structural heterogeneity (polymorphism) which determines the level of their toxicity. Despite a significant biological and biomedical importance, the nature of the amyloid fibril polymorphism remains elusive. We utilized for the first time three most advanced vibrational techniques to probe the core, the surface, and supramolecular chirality of fibril polymorphs. A new type of folding, aggregation phenomenon, spontaneous refolding from one polymorph to another, was discovered (Kurouski, Lauro et al., 2010). Hydrogen–deuterium exchange deep UV resonance Raman spectroscopy (Oladepo, Xiong et al., 2012) combined with advanced statistical analysis (Shashilov & Lednev, 2010) allowed for structural characterization of the highly ordered cross-β core of amyloid fibrils. We reported several examples showing significant variations in the core structure for fibr...
Internal structure and charge compensation of polyelectrolyte multilayers: a numerical study

Using a self-consistent field theory, we have modeled the sequential process of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of flexible polyelectrolytes (PE) on flat substrates as a series of kinetically trapped states. Up to 60 alternating depositions of polyanions and polycations are performed, each followed by a washing step. We have studied the internal structure and charge compensation of PEM formed by both strongly and weakly dissociating PE, and the effects of various parameters affecting the long-range electrostatic interactions (including the substrate charge density, polymer charge fractions, bulk salt concentrations) and short-range interactions (including the solvent qualities and repulsion between polymers) in the system. Our modeling of PE LbL assembly is in good qualitative agreement with most experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Many of our results can also be quantitatively tested in experiments. Finally, we do not find multilayering in the equilibrium adsorption of PE mixtures from a bulk solution containing both the polyanions and polycations, indicating that LbL assembly is a non-equilibrium process.
The association between disability and intimate partner violence in the United States

Abstract Purpose Prior research has shown that people with disabilities are at greater risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. This study seeks to examine the link between disability and IPV in a nationally representative sample of U.S. women and men. Also, by establishing that disability preceded recent IPV victimization, this study allows for a more thorough understanding of whether people with disabilities are at greater risk of victimization subsequent to having a disability. Methods Data were analyzed from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, an ongoing, national random digit dial telephone survey of U.S. adults. Estimates of age-adjusted 12-month IPV prevalence by disability status were calculated. Results Compared to women without a disability, women with a disability were significantly more likely to report experiencing each form of IPV measured, which includes rape, sexual violence other than rape, physical violence, stalking, psychological aggression, and control of reproductive or sexual health. For men, significant associations were found with respect to stalking and psychological aggression by an intimate partner. Conclusions The results suggest that people with a disability are at greater risk of victimization and that primary and secondary prevention efforts might be targeted to those with a disability.
In vitro activity of cationic peptides against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and vaginal Lactobacillus species: The effect of divalent cations

One of the new strategies for the prevention of HIV acquisition is the use of microbicides such as topical microbicides including antimicrobial and antiviral peptides. Ideally, new drug candidates should kill pathogens without determent to the normal bacterial flora considered important in health; such as hydrogen peroxide producing Lactobacillus species. The antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and LSA-5 were studied to determine their spectrum of activity against bacterial pathogens and normal flora organisms. The effects of divalent cations at biologically relevant concentrations were determined. We show the synthetic lytic peptide LSA-5 and the naturally occurring peptides LL-37 inactivate Neisseria gonorrhoeae but are less active against many normal flora members such as Lactobacillus species. Biologically relevant concentrations of calcium and magnesium prevented killing of sensitive strains. LSA-5 is more potent than LL-37, both are inhibited from killing sensitive strains by calcium and magnesium. Strains of Lactobacillus iners were killed by both microbicides even in the presence of the divalent cations. Antimicrobial peptides, such as LSA-5, have good potential for use in prevention of sexually transmitted disease, if formulated to sequester calcium and magnesium present in biological fluids.
Accessing nearby copies of replicated objects in a distributed environment

Consider a set of shared objects in a distributed network, where several copies of each object may exist at any given time. To ensure both fast access to the objects as well as efficient utilization of network resources, it is desirable that each access request be satisfied by a copy "close" to the requesting node. Unfortunately, it is not clear how to efficiently achieve this goal in a dynamic, distributed environment in which large numbers of objects are continuously being created, replicated, and destroyed. In this paper, we design a simple randomized algorithm for accessing shared objects that tends to satisfy each access request with a nearby copy. The algorithm is based on a novel mechanism to maintain and distribute information about object locations, and requires only a small amount of additional memory at each node. We analyze our access scheme for a class of cost functions that captures the hierarchical nature of wide-area networks. We show that under the particular cost model considered: (i) the expected cost of an individual access is asymptotically optimal, and (ii) if objects are sufficiently large, the memory used for objects dominates the additional memory used by our algorithm with high probability. We also address dynamic changes in both the network as well as the set of object copies.
Toward a General Synthesis of Chlorins

Recently, we described a new synthesis of C,D-ring symmetric chlorins 11, involving 2 + 2 condensation of bis-formyl-dihydrodipyrrins 9 with symmetrically substituted dipyrromethane diacids 10 (Method I). However, while versatile in many aspects, Method I was unsuited to the broader goal of synthesizing fully non-symmetric chlorins of general structure 15, which requires regioselective control over the reacting centers in the A,B- and C,D-ring components. In this paper, we describe four new 2 + 2 strategies that accomplish this differentiation (Methods II−V). Of these, Method V, which combines operational simplicity with moderate to high product yields, proved to be the most effective route, exploiting reactivity differences between the two formyl groups of A,B-rings 9 to impart excellent regioselectivity. Methods II−IV are also useful alternatives to Method V, although in some cases, the appropriately functionalized precursors are less readily available. All four approaches generate single regioisomers o...
HIAWATHA, a fission-fragment recoil mass spectrometer

Abstract A new fission-fragment recoil mass spectrometer, called HIAWATHA, has been designed, constructed, and tested. Working on a unique principle, HIAWATHA has achieved better than 0.5 amu mass resolution measuring fragments directly from fission. The good mass resolution obtained by HIAWATHA permitted us to make a direct physical measurement of the mass yields in thermal-neutron fission of 235U. The results of this measurement are in good agreement in general with evaluated mass yields. Future experiments planned for HIAWATHA include measuremes of the mass yields for thermal-neutron fission of 233U and 239Pu, measurements of the nuclide yields for all three of the fissile isotopes by incorporating a fragment energy-loss detector for atomic-number identification, and various studies of heavy-ion transport in matter.
Creating Cultural Competence: An Outreach Immersion Experience in Southern Africa.

With disasters on the rise, counselors need to increase their cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills to work with affected communities. This study reports outcomes of a four-week immersion experience in southern Africa with six counselor-trainees. Data sources for this qualitative study were: daily journals and demographic forms. Outcomes suggest that sustained contact with community residents and daily supervision experiences served to improve cultural awareness. Recommendations include pushing through students’ resistance using a non-linear dynamic model of transformation.
Acetylcholine:Possible Neuromuscular Transmitter in Crustacea

The tonic flexor muscles of the crayfish abdomen respond with a large depolarizing potential to acetylcholine iontophoresed onto a neuromuscular Junction, but not to glutamate. Excitatory junctional potentials are abolished by d-tubocurarine and enhanced by a cholinesterase inhibitor. The membrane is depolarized and the junctional potentials are desensitized by excess acetylcholine. Thus acetylcholine is thought to be the neuromuscular transmitter.
The effects of cooling rates and type of freezing extenders on cryosurvival of rat sperm.

Cryopreservation of rat sperm is very challenging due to its sensitivity to various stress factors. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal cooling rate and extender for epididymal sperm of outbred Sprague Dawley (SD) and inbred Fischer 344 (F344) rat strains. The epididymal sperm from 10 to 12 weeks old sexually mature SD and F344 strains were suspended in five different freezing extenders, namely HEPES buffered Tyrode’s lactate (TL-HEPES), modified Kreb’s Ringer bicarbonate (mKRB), 3% dehydrated skim milk (SM), Salamon’s Tris-citrate (TRIS), and tes/tris (TES). All extenders contained 20% egg yolk, 0.75% Equex Paste and 0.1 M raffinose or 0.1 M sucrose. The sperm samples in each extender were cooled to 4 °C and held for 45 min for equilibration before freezing. The equilibrated sperm samples in each extender were placed onto a shallow quartz dish inserted into Linkam Cryostage (BCS 196). The samples were then cooled to a final temperature of −150 °C by using various cooling rates (10, 40, 70, and 100 °C/min). For thawing, the quartz dish containing the sperm samples were rapidly removed from the Linkam cryo-stage and placed on a 37 °C slide warmer and held for 1 min before motility analysis. Sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assessed by SYBR-14/Propidium iodide, Alexa Fluor-488-PNA conjugate and JC-1, respectively. The total motility, acrosomal integrity, membrane integrity and MMP values were compared among cooling rates and extenders. Both cooling rate and type of extender had significant effect on cryosurvival (P < 0.05). Sperm motility increased as cooling rate was increased for both strains (P < 0.05). Highest cryosurvival was achieved when 100 °C/min cooling rate was used in combination with TES extender containing 20% egg yolk, 0.75% Equex paste and either 0.1 M sucrose or raffinose (P < 0.05). This study showed that TES extender containing 0.1 M raffinose or sucrose with 70 °C/min and 100 °C/min cooling rate improved post-thaw motility of rat sperm.
Sorption of lower alcohols in poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract This paper presents equilibrium sorption and kinetics of lower alcohols in a 1.5 μ thick, biaxially oriented PET film. Methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and iso-propanol have been studied for the solubility and sorption kinetics in this film to understand how these properties change with penetrant size and branching. It is observed that n-propanol shows dual mode characteristics at all activities whereas the other three penetrants show Flory–Huggins uptake at high activities. Infinite dilution solubility is estimated and compared with that of esters, ketones and other hydrocarbons previously reported. The dispersive solubility parameter, δd is found to correlate well with the solubility of penetrants with the same functional group. The hydrogen bonding parameter, δh is observed to influence the solubility of penetrants with the same carbon number but different functional groups. This correlation with the solubility parameters may be extended to other functional groups and used to predict the infinite dilution solubility of larger penetrants in PET. Diffusion coefficients in the Fickian kinetics regime and Berens–Hopfenberg parameters in the non-Fickian kinetics regime have been evaluated. Diffusivity increases with concentration and decreases with size. Diffusion coefficient of iso-propanol is an order of magnitude lower than that of n-propanol due to branching effects.
A variable force binder for a draw press

Improvements in manufacturing quality, flexibility, and efficiency require innovations in both tooling technology and process control strategies to speed the transition from art to part. An innovative forming press using a variable force binder (VFB) is proposed as the first step in attaining these goals. This paper presents the design, development and qualification of a VFB for a deep-drawing forming operation. The VFB is capable of varying the binder force profile both spatially and temporally, allowing for a complete customization of the binder force profile. The benchmark axisymmetric cup-forming experiment serves as a proving ground for demonstrating the VFB's performance. Experimental results illustrate the VFB's ability to regulate material flow at localized regions around the blank perimeter. An electrohydraulic control system has been designed and implemented to track predetermined binder force trajectories in real time. Tracking performance is illustrated and explained. A quantitative measurement technique for describing the end product, i.e. the drawn cup, is presented to provide a standard for error analysis and for future work developing closed-loop process control strategies.
Effect of chemically modified GM1 and neoglycolipid analogs of GM1 on liposome circulation time: evidence supporting the dysopsonin hypothesis

The sugar group of the ganglioside GM1 has been modified by periodate oxidation, reduction or reductive amination. The negative charge of sialic acid of GM1 has also been removed by methylation or reductive hydrolysis. A series of neoglycolipid analogs of GM1 were synthesized by coupling the GM1 oligosaccharide (GM1OS) to dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) via different spacer arms. The individual GM1 derivatives were incorporated into egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposomes and tested in mice in order to see whether they were effective in prolonging liposome circulation. The oxidized GM1 did not show any ability to prolong circulation. However, the lost activity after oxidation was completely recovered by the subsequent reduction step. A series of aminated GM1 derivatives were prepared via oxidation followed by reductive amination with various substituted amines. beta-Alanyl GM1 showed a comparable activity to the native GM1, while other aminated GM1S showed reduced activity in terms of prolonging circulation of liposomes. Blocking the negative charge of sialic acid by methylation did not greatly lessen the activity, and removing the carboxyl group of sialic acid by reductive hydrolysis reduced the activity by only approx. 20%. Among the neoglycolipid analogs of GM1 only GM1OS directly conjugated to DOPE was effective in prolonging the circulation, whereas conjugates with a spacer of various length were not effective. These results emphasize the importance of the molecular structure of GM1 for its functional ability to prolong the liposome circulation. Furthermore, modifications which abolish the cholera toxin-binding activity of GM1 also decrease the ability to prolong the circulation time of the liposomes, and vice versa. Such strong correlation further supports the idea that the specific recognition of GM1 oligosaccharide by putative dysopsonin(s) is responsible for the ability to prolong the liposomes circulation time.
Inoculum Rate Influences Selection for Field Resistance to Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome in the Greenhouse

Effective selection of field resistance to soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. f. sp. glycines (Fsg) (Roy, 1997), measured by disease index (DX), requires multiple environments. Current greenhouse assays reduce genotype x environment interactions, but fail to predict field resistance. Our objective was to compare selection for field resistance to SDS in the greenhouse among recombinant inbred lines (RILs) inoculated with Fsg at three rates. Thirty soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] RILs with characterized field resistance to SDS were evaluated in the greenhouse for scorch severity at three inoculum rates in four experiments. Ten cultivars with characterized field resistance were compared using disease severity (DS) readings from one experiment at one inoculum rate. The heritability of DS among RILs in the greenhouse was 46% at the low, 66% at the moderate, and 37% at the high inoculum rates. Reduced inoculum rates in the greenhouse (3500 to 5000 spores cm -3 plant growth medium) provided DS values that explained 65% of variation in the field DX. Using a Fsg inoculum rate of 5000 spores cm -3 plant growth medium and greenhouse midparent DS as criterion for selection, the number of lines potentially resistant to SDS within a segregating population could be reduced by 53%. Errors caused 10% of field resistant lines to be eliminated. Among unrelated soybean cultivars, greenhouse DS values from an inoculum rate of 4000 spores cm -3 plant growth medium explained 81 and 73% of variations in field DS and DX, respectively. Therefore, the method is an effective tool for inheritance studies and cultivar evaluation for SDS.
IgA rheumatoid factor in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Sera from 24 children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) and 25 controls were tested for rheumatoid factor (RF) of various isotypes. None of the patients with HSP had RF of the IgG or IgM isotypes, whereas one of the controls had IgG RF and one had IgM RF. On the other hand, IgA RF was found in 13 (54%) of the HSP sera, but in only one of the controls (P