cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with LIS1 specific probes reveals a high deletion mutation rate in isolated lissencephaly sequence.

Purpose: Recent revision of the lissencephaly critical region on chromosome 17p13.3 and confirmation of LIS1 as the causative gene for classical lissencephaly has allowed the development and application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes corresponding directly to this gene. Method: We have analyzed patients with isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS) by FISH with probes at D17S379, an anonymous locus distal to LIS1, and with LIS1 specific probes. Results: In 110 patients with ILS, a deletion at D17S379 was detected in 23.6%. Of those patients without a deletion, 32 were available for further study with LIS1 probes. Deletions were found in eight additional individuals. Conclusion: The overall deletion mutation rate detectable by FISH with LIS1 probes is =40%. This rate is significantly higher than the deletion rate observed at D17S379. This indicates that FISH studies using probes specific to LIS1 should be undertaken as the initial diagnostic assay for the evaluation of patients with ILS, and the high frequency of deletions raises the possibility of “hotspots” for chromosome breakage in this region.
RYTSI: The Rochester Institute of Technology-Yale Tip-Tilt Speckle Imager

We have constructed a new speckle imaging system that collects a large number of speckle patterns on the detector area of a large-format CCD. The system is called the RIT-Yale Tip-tilt Speckle Imager (RYTSI) because it uses two galvanometric scanning mirrors to tip and tilt each speckle pattern to a different location on the CCD chip. It therefore solves the bandwidth problem of using CCDs in speckle imaging in a unique way: the mirrors direct speckle patterns across the chip with millisecond accuracy, and the CCD is read out only when the chip is filled with patterns. The instrument was designed to accommodate a variety of detector formats, readout systems, and telescope plate scales; it was initially used at the WIYN Observatory in conjunction with an RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) 2048 2 CCD. We present the design of the instrument and a sample of first results, which indicate that the instrument can be expected to recover, with high precision, both astrometric and photometric information for binary and multiple stars.
BreadCrumbs: forecasting mobile connectivity

Mobile devices cannot rely on a single managed network, but must exploit a wide variety of connectivity options as they travel. We argue that such systems must consider the derivative of connectivity--the changes inherent in movement between separately managed networks, with widely varying capabilities. With predictive knowledge of such changes, devices can more intelligently schedule network usage.To exploit the derivative of connectivity, we observe that people are creatures of habit; they take similar paths every day. Our system, BreadCrumbs, tracks the movement of the device's owner, and customizes a predictive mobility model for that specific user. Combined with past observations of wireless network capabilities, BreadCrumbs generates connectivity forecasts. We have built a BreadCrumbs prototype, and demonstrated its potential with several weeks of real-world usage. Our results show that these forecasts are sufficiently accurate, even with as little as one week of training, to provide improved performance with reduced power consumption for several applications.
Anomalous ion mixing within a Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex in a collisionless plasma.

Anomalously fast ion mixing is observed in a hybrid code simulation (particle ions and a massless electron fluid) of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a collisionless plasma. While the traditional view predicts that the ion mixing occurs on a time scale longer than the roll-up time T(v) of the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex by a factor of (velocity shear scale length)/(ion Larmor radius), the simulation results show that the mixing occurs within a time scale comparable to T(v). It is shown that this fast mixing is due to the scattering of ions by unsteady electromagnetic fields.
Endogenous peroxynitrite generation causes a subsequent suppression of coronary arterial contraction to serotonin.

High levels of exogenous peroxynitrite (ONOO−) have been reported to cause coronary vascular relaxation by a mechanism that appears to involve the subsequent generation of nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we examined if endogenous vasoactive levels of ONOO−are formed from endogenous superoxide anion (O2⨪) upon exposure of isolated endothelium-removed bovine coronary arteries (BCA) to biological levels of NO. During exposure of BCA to ∼50 nmNO for 2 min, the level of endogenous O2⨪detected by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) was markedly decreased and an increase in luminol-dependent CL was observed, consistent with the detection of ONOO−generation. NO treatment caused a decrease in contraction of BCA to 0.1–3 μmserotonin (5-HT). This suppression of contraction to 5-HT was completely prevented by preincubation prior to NO exposure with agents that prevent endogenous O2⨪production (10 μmdiphenyliodonium) or trap intracellular O2⨪(10 mmTiron) or ONOO−(0.1 mmurate), and by post-NO treatment with an agent that traps NO (1 μmoxyhemoglobin) or prevents the stimulation of cGMP production by NO (10 μmmethylene blue). The NO treatment caused a subsequent release of NO (measured in the head space after a 5-min equilibration with 95% N2–5% CO2), and this subsequent release of NO was reduced by the presence of urate during NO exposure and by depletion of endogenous tissue glutathione (by pretreatment with 7 mmdiethyl maleate). Thus, exposure of BCA to elevated physiological levels of NO causes a prolonged suppression of contraction to 5-HT which appears to result from endogenous ONOO−formation and a thiol-dependent process that traps and subsequently releases vascular relaxant levels of NO.
Monitoring Automotive Particulate Matter Emissions with LiDAR: A Review

Automotive particulate matter (PM) causes deleterious effects on health and visibility. Physical and chemical properties of PM also influence climate change. Roadside remote sensing of automotive emissions is a valuable option for assessing the contribution of individual vehicles to the total PM burden. LiDAR represents a unique approach that allows measuring PM emissions from in-use vehicles with high sensitivity. This publication reviews vehicle emission remote sensing measurements using ultraviolet LiDAR and transmissometer systems. The paper discusses the measurement theory and documents examples of how these techniques provide a unique perspective for exhaust emissions of individual and groups of vehicles.
Flexibility and Lengths of Bis-peptide Nanostructures by Electron Spin Resonance

We demonstrate the use of electron spin resonance (ESR) to determine long-range distances and flexibility in water-soluble bis-peptide molecular rods. Bis-peptide oligomers with 4−8 monomer units were synthesized. ESR determined that the end-to-end length of the peptides is linearly proportional to the number of monomers. The linear shape is, therefore, easily interpreted from the data. In addition, the flexibility of the rods was quantified directly from the ESR-determined distance distribution functions. Quantitative information on chain length and flexibility is important to develop the use of these oligomers as rodlike structural elements for applications such as bivalent display of ligands and as elements of future nanoscale devices.
A comparative study of performances of various base isolation systems, part I: Shear beam structures

A comparative study of performances of different base isolators for shear beam type structures is carried out. Several leading base isolation systems, including the laminated rubber bearing with and without lead plug, the resilient-friction base isolator with and without sliding upper plate, and the EDF system are considered. Displacement and acceleration response spectra for a shear beam structure subject to the accelerograms of the N00W component of El Centro 1940 and the N90W component of Mexico City 1985 earthquakes and their magnified forms are evaluated. A series of parametric studies is carried out and advantages and disadvantages of various base isolation systems are identified. Comparisons of the results with the response spectra of a fixed-base structure show that the base isolation systems are, in general, highly effective in reducing the peak acceleration transmitted to the superstructure. Thus, the deflections and stresses generated in a base-isolated structure are significantly lower than those of a fixed-base one. Furthermore, the results of the study also show that the friction-type base isolators are less sensitive to severe variations in frequency content and amplitude of the ground acceleration.
ProactiveTasks: the short of mobile device use sessions

Mobile devices have become powerful ultra-portable personal computers supporting not only communication but also running a variety of complex, interactive applications. Because of the unique characteristics of mobile interaction, a better understanding of the time duration and context of mobile device uses could help to improve and streamline the user experience. In this paper, we first explore the anatomy of mobile device use and propose a classification of use based on duration and interaction type: glance, review, and engage. We then focus our investigation on short review interactions and identify opportunities for streamlining these mobile device uses through proactively suggesting short tasks to the user that go beyond simple application notifications. We evaluate the concept through a user evaluation of an interactive lock screen prototype, called ProactiveTasks. We use the findings from our study to create and explore the design space for proactively presenting tasks to the users. Our findings underline the need for a more nuanced set of interactions that support short mobile device uses, in particular review sessions.
Simulation and measurement of low-profile antennas realized with isotropic and anisotropic magneto-dielectrics

Summary form only given. The use of magneto-dielectrics is becoming increasingly popular in the development of low-profile antennas. Some of these materials are realized by using the rule of mixtures while others are more closely associated with the types of unit cells related to metamaterials. These magneto-dielectrics can be isotropic or anisotropic broadening the complexity and flexibility of potential antenna designs. The physical realization of such antennas tends to be a layered structure consisting of a ground plane, a magneto-dielectric layer just above the ground plane, and a planar antenna element at the top of the structure. Most design rules-of-thumb focus on the reflection coefficient such that radiation, from the standpoint of impedance matching, is enhanced. Often neglected in the analysis is the excitation of lateral waves and the potential impact on the antenna's performance. Isotropic magneto-dielectrics can mitigate, or utilize advantageously, such waves through varying the thickness or breaking up the magneto-dielectric sheet with air gaps. Anisotropic magneto-dielectrics afford additional degrees of freedom for mitigating lateral wave excitation by the nature of the material. The presentation will discuss the analytical development of the surface wave excitation for both the isotropic and the anisotropic materials in an effort to identify the importance of the added flexibility of the anisotropic materials. Computer simulations for antennas developed with both types of materials will be presented as will measured results for antennas constructed with each. While direct comparisons between isotropic and anisotropic magneto-dielectrics are difficult to quantify, we will present various designs commenting on relative advantages and disadvantages.
Modification of Protein Synthesis by Vitamin B12 in the Marine Algal Flagellate Neochloris pseudoalveolaris

SYNOPSIS. A strain of the marine algal flagellate Neochloris pseudoalgeolaris required only an inorganic medium for growth; however, in media containing vitamin B12 it became greener, protein synthesis was modified, and the levels of DNA and RNA increased. By isotope tracer technics, transmethylation of the methyl group of methionine was found to play a role in modulation of protein synthesis governed by the vitamin. These results indicate that vitamin B12 stimulates synthesis of chloroplasts in this algal strain.
Lubrication in tube hydroforming (THF) Part I. Lubrication mechanisms and development of model tests to evaluate lubricants and die coatings in the transition and expansion zones

Abstract The lubrication mechanisms that occur at the tool–workpiece interface for the transition and expansion zones are discussed. Suitable lubrication systems for the transition and expansion zones are reviewed based on the mechanics of deformation and material flow at the interface. Details of two model tests for evaluating the performance of tube hydroforming (THF) lubricants and die coatings are given. The optimization of die geometries for the model tests is based on sensitivity analysis through the finite element method together with experimental verification. The details of these tests are given and their development is discussed.
Mass spectra of nucleoside components of tRNA

Low resolution mass spectra have been recorded at 20 eV and 70 eV under comparable conditions for a series of nucleosides which are components, or possible components, of tRNA: pseudouridine, 5,6-dihydrouridine, 5-methylcytidine, ribothymidine, 3-methyluridine, inosine, 1-methyladenosine, N6-methyladenosine, 1-methylinosine, guanosine, N4-acetylcytidine, N6, N6-dimethyladenosine, N2-methylguanosine, 1-methylguanosine, 7-methylguanosine, and 2-methoxyadenosine. These spectra can be used for the identification of presently known nucleosides and for the identification of newly isolated ribosides by consideration of their fragmentation patterns relative to those of the known compounds.
Morphine and the centrally-mediated inhibition of urinary bladder motility in the rat.

Abstract Systemic administration of morphine consistently inhibited spontaneous urinary bladder contractions in the ketamine-anesthetized rat. In addition, i.c.v. morphine and levorphanol but not dextrophan inhibited bladder function by a naloxone-sensitive mechanism. Naloxone alone increased the frequency of bladder contractions and intravesicular pressure. Systemic loperamide did not affect bladder function while N,N-diallylnormorphinium only reversed bladder inhibition by morphine when administered i.c.v. These observations suggest that morphine inhibits bladder activity by a central mechanism and that endogenous opioids are involved in the central control of bladder function.
SQM1 Antiody defines a surface membrane antigen in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck

Abstract We produced murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the surface membrane of squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). One antibody, SQM1, was determined by immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay to be reactive with 13/13 SCCHN cell lines derived from different sites of the head and neck area. No binding reaction was observed with normal fibroblasts, red blood cells, nucleated bone-marrow cells or epithelial cells from normal oral mucosa. SQM1 reactivity was observed with primary cultures of normal epidermal and bronchial epithelial cells. Significant reactivity was found with 2/4 cell lines derived from small-cell carcinoma of the lung but little or no reactivity was found with other lung cancer cell lines. Various cell lines derived from other cancers including breast, colon, and ovarian carcinomas, melanoma, neuroblastoma and leukemia were generally unreactive. Seventeen out of 18 fresh frozen specimens of SCCHN were strongly reactive with SQM1 antibody. However, autopsy specimens from the heart, liver, kidney, spleen, colon, subcutaneous fat and skin connective tissue were unreactive. SQM1 antibody may be useful in biological and clinical studies of the head and neck region.
Capitalizing on Multiple Social Identities to Prevent Stereotype Threat: The Moderating Role of Self-Esteem

One troubling aspect of membership in a stigmatized group is that negative stereotypes about the group's performance affect one's personal performance (i.e., stereotype threat). Women who are made aware of the negative stereotype that "women are bad at math" perform worse than women who are not made aware of this stereotype. However, women can use an "escape hatch" to avoid stereotype threat by identifying with another social identity (i.e., college students) that has positive stereotypes for math performance and having greater feelings of self-worth. This research shows that women who had greater self-esteem and were presented with an alternative, positive social identity were buffered from stereotype threat by eliminating working memory decrements responsible for poor math performance. Women lower in self-esteem, however, did not benefit from a positive, alternative social identity when it was available and thus fell prey to stereotype-based working memory and performance decrements.
Aminosalicylate-based biodegradable polymers: Syntheses and in vitro characterization of Poly(anhydride-ester)s and poly(anhydride-amide)s

Poly(anhydride-ester)s and poly(anhydride-amide)s derived from both 4- and 5-aminosalicylate acids (4- and 5-ASA) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical methods. Thermal and solubility characteristics directly correlated to the polymer backbone composition; polymers based on 5-ASA had greater solubilities in organic solvents than polymers based on 4-ASA, and the poly(anhydride-ester)s thermally decomposed at temperatures nearly 100 °C higher than the corresponding poly(anhydride-amides. The polymers were self-contained, controlled-release systems that combine the drug and controlled-release mechanism into the polymer backbone. The erosion and degradation characteristics of the polymers were measured in physiologically relevant media. All polymer matrices fully degraded in media buffered to pH 7.4, whereas in acidic media (pH 1.2), all polymer matrices maintained greater than 50% mass over a 90-day time period.
Identification, cloning, and sequencing of DNA essential for encapsulation of Streptococcus pneumoniae

This paper reports the cloning and sequencing of a region of DNA from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 surrounding transposon Tn916, insertion of which was previously shown to result in lack of expression of the extracellular capsule. Sequence analysis revealed that the transposon inserted into a consensus insertion site 71 bp from the 5' end of the cloned fragment. Within the clone, 3' downstream regions from two different pneumococcal lytA genes were identified, as well as a putative 194 AA open reading frame (ORF1). Moreover, two copies of the repeat element BOX, oriented in opposite directions, were located immediately 3' of orf1. Within the region bounded by the first pair of internal sequencing primers, analysis revealed that the fragment amplified by PCR was always of the same size. Moreover, Southern blotting showed that for all serotypes examined to date, homology exists with the cloned fragment. These results indicate that this region of the chromosome is highly conserved and, taken together with other independently derived data, suggest that interruptions or deletions within this DNA lead to unencapsulation.
Analyzing individual presolar grains with CHARISMA

Isotopic analysis of heavy elements in individual stardust grains is important in testing and constraining theories of stellar nucleosynthesis. These analyses are challenging in that the grains are very small, the largest being perhaps a few microns in diameter, and contain only trace concentrations of heavy elements, generally on the order of ppm. In addition, isotopic analysis requires the suppression of isobaric interferences. We describe a unique instrument, based on resonant ionization mass spectrometry, that has successfully characterized such grains for the past several years, and report on some recent upgrades that significantly enhance the instrumental capabilities. The fundamental principles and operational details are discussed, along with illustrative results and plans for future modifications.
The Interaction of Crystallinity, Elastoplasticity, and a Two-Phase Model on Blown Film Bubble Shape

Historically, simulations of the blown film process have been carried out only to the freeze line; a point which is often well below the actual frost line for the process. This limitation in previous simulations was discovered to be related to the interaction of the process boundary conditions with the rheological equation of state used in previous analyses to represent the stretching of the polymer film. A new approach has been developed that allows the process to be simulated to the real frost line. This has been accomplished by using a two-phase model incorporating viscoplasticity and crystallization of the polymer melt into the physical description of the blown film process. Prediction of the bubble shape, temperature, and velocity from the die to the frost line agree fairly well with experimental data. By improving the rheological models used in the simulation, this approach has the potential of being able to pre dict physical properties of polymeric film from molecular and process parameters.
Bringing an informed public into policy debates through online deliberation: the healthcare dialogue project

A year-long experiment was conducted to better understand the potential of web-based deliberations to inform public policy. Focused on health care reform, the project drew from periodic surveys and a series of online group deliberations to examine the interaction of policy elites and ordinary citizens in online settings, and to test hypotheses related to group composition, discussion processes, and decision making. This paper describes the project design and summarizes several key findings to date.
Patterning self-assembled FePt nanoparticles

Abstract We describe a potential way to extend the ordered domain of self-assembled FePt nanoparticles. The FePt particles, with an average diameter of 3 nm, were prepared by simultaneous thermal decomposition of Fe(CO) 5 and chemical reduction of Pt(acac) 2 and then were dispersed in a mixture of hexane and octane. When self-assembling on a plain silicon wafer, FePt nanoparticles formed ordered hexagonal arrays in a range of tens to a few hundred nanometers. A silicon wafer with patterned holes of a photoresist film, made using UV-lithographing technique, was used as a template to direct the stacking direction of the FePt nanoparticles. The FePt dispersion was dropped on the patterned holes of the photoresist film. After being heat-treated at 100°C for 30 min under vacuum condition, the photoresist was stripped out by dipping the sample in acetone. The patterned disks, with an average diameter of 2.0 μm and a height of 250 nm, of self-assembled FePt nanoparticles were examined using SEM and Auger mapping. Their magnetic properties were measured using AGM. The Auger electrons of neither Fe LMM nor Pt MNN could be detected from the sample, which indicated the adsorption of oleic acid and oleylamine on the surface of FePt nanoparticles. The coercivity of patterned FePt significantly increased with the annealing temperature above 600°C.
The anisotropy of Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio in cubic materials

The directional behaviour of Young's modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio are expressed for a number of crystallographic planes for cubic materials. Their behaviour as a function of direction on a particular plane is shown to be a simple sum of sines and cosines of twice and sometimes of four times the angle. A general expression gives the coefficients for the sines and cosines and a table gives the coefficients for 19 planes on the standard triangle of the stereographic projection. Superposed on the stereographic projection are shown polar plots of the shear modulus Gprime12 (1prime direction normal to the plane) for silicon. Examples are also given showing G12prime for copper for some planes of zones [1bar above 00], [1bar above 10] and [2bar above 10].
A serendipitous finding of a news media history effect: A research note

On January 16, 1989, a Hispanic Miami police officer shot and killed a black motorcyclist in a predominantly black section of Miami. During the following week, the shooting and its aftermath received extensive newspaper, television, and radio coverage. In criminal justice research, history effects are a common concern but empirical demonstrations are rarely reported. As part of a larger study of police recruits' training and attitudes, the news coverage of this shooting was discovered to have influenced the attitudes of Hispanic recruits: it significantly altered their expectation that police officers would use their weapons while on duty. This effect was not observed in non-Hispanic recruits. This serendipitous finding points to the need for researchers to be alert to threats to validity, particularly as the mass media become more pervasive and more intrusive. Further, it empirically demonstrates the social construction of reality in operation.
Regulation of Neuronal Cell Death by MST1-FOXO1 Signaling

The protein kinase mammalian Sterile 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) plays a critical role in the regulation of cell death. Recent studies suggest that MST1 mediates oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death by phosphorylating the transcription factor FOXO3 at serine 207, a site that is conserved in other FOXO family members. Here, we show that MST1-induced phosphorylation of FOXO1 at serine 212, corresponding to serine 207 in FOXO3, disrupts the association of FOXO1 with 14-3-3 proteins. Accordingly, MST1 mediates the nuclear translocation of FOXO1 in primary rat cerebellar granule neurons that are deprived of neuronal activity. We also find a requirement for MST1 in cell death of granule neurons upon withdrawal of growth factors and neuronal activity, and MST1 induces cell death in a FOXO1-dependent manner. Finally, we show that the MST1-regulatory, scaffold protein Nore1 is required for survival factor deprivation induced neuronal death. Collectively, these findings define MST1-FOXO1 signaling as an important link survival factor deprivation-induced neuronal cell death with implications for our understanding of brain development and neurological diseases.
Apparent molal volumes of aqueous solutions of bis-tetraalkylammonium salts at 25°C: Methylene-group contribution to the limiting molal volume

Densities of aqueous solutions of a series of polymethonium chloride and bromide salts (CH3)3−N−(CH2)n−N−(CH3)3X2 have been measured at 25°C. Apparent molal volumes have been calculated, and methylene-group contributions to the limiting apparent molal volumes φ°v have been estimated. Constant values of the methylene-group contribution of 16.5 and 17.0 cm3-mole−1 were obtained for the bromide and chloride salts, respectively. These values are consistent with methylene-group contributions reported for other series of organic electrolytes.
Functional Properties of Enzymatically Modified Beef Heart Protein

The effect of enzymatic modification on beef heart protein functionality was examined in model system and frankfurter experiments. Modification of heart myofibrils with ficin was effective in improving protein solubility and emulsification capacity compared to controls. Incorporation of enzyme-modified heart into a meat model system composed of 30% beef heart and 70% beef skeletal meat resulted in improved cooked yields which were equal to controls made with 100% skeletal meat, in both no-salt and 3% salt formulations. Normal (2%) and low (0.5%) salt frankfurters made with 30% enzyme-modified beef heart had significantly greater smokehouse yields and consumer cooked yields than frankfurters made with 30% unmodified heart.
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor β regulates migration and DNA synthesis in metanephric mesenchymal cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain and PDGF receptor β (PDGFR β) are essential for glomerulogenesis. Mice deficient in PDGF B-chain or PDGFR β exhibit an abnormal glomerular phenotype characterized by total lack of mesangial cells. In this study, we localized PDGFR β in the developing rat kidney and explored the biological effects of PDGF in metanephric mesenchymal cells in an attempt to determine the mechanism by which PDGF regulates mesangial cell development. Immunohistochemical and in situhybridization studies of rat embryonic kidneys reveal that PDGFR β localizes to undifferentiated metanephric mesenchyme and is later expressed in the cleft of the comma-shaped and S-shaped bodies and in more mature glomeruli in a mesangial distribution. We also isolated and characterized cells from rat metanephric mesenchyme. Metanephric mesenchymal cells express vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin but not cytokeratin. These cells also express functional PDGFR β, as demonstrated by autophosphorylation of the receptor as well as activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase in response to PDGF B-chain homodimer. PDGF B-chain also induces migration and proliferation of metanephric mesenchymal cells. Taken together with the fact that PDGF B-chain is expressed in the glomerular epithelium and mesangial area, as demonstrated in the human embryonic kidney, we suggest that PDGF B-chain acts in a paracrine fashion to stimulate the migration and proliferation of mesangial cell precursors from undifferentiated metanephric mesenchyme to the mesangial area. PDGF B-chain also likely stimulates proliferation of mesangial cell precursors in an autocrine fashion once these cells migrate to the glomerular tuft.
Encystation of Giardia lamblia: a model for other parasites

To colonize the human small intestine, Giardia lamblia monitors a dynamic environment. Trophozoites attach to enterocytes that mature and die. The parasites must 'decide' whether to re-attach or differentiate into cysts that survive in the environment and re-activate when ingested. Other intestinal parasites face similar challenges. Study of these parasites is limited because they do not encyst in vitro. Giardia trophozoites were persuaded to encyst in vitro by mimicking physiological stimuli. Cysts are dormant, yet 'spring-loaded for action' to excyst upon ingestion. Giardial encystation has been studied from morphological, cell biological, biochemical, and molecular viewpoints. Yet important gaps remain and the mechanisms that co-ordinate responses to external signals remain enigmatic.
Fiscal Decentralization and Intergovernmental Transfers in Less Developed Countries

This article addresses the issue offiscal decentralization in developing countries, and the use of intergovernmental transfers to achieve this objective. We find that developing countries have more centralized fiscal structures and argue that this is consistent with the theory of fiscal federalism. Economic development, however, does push the advantage toward decentralization. We also show that developing countries use a wide variety of transfer instruments tofund local governments, and that these instruments give the national government varying degrees of control over local government finances.
Infrafamilial classifications and characters in Araliaceae: Insights from the phylogenetic analysis of nuclear (ITS) and plastid (trnL-trnF) sequence data

Traditional classifications of Araliaceae have stressed a relatively small number of morphological characters in the circumscription of infrafamilial groups (usually recognized as tribes). These systems remain largely untested from a phylogenetic perspective, and only a single previous study has explicitly explored intergeneric relationships throughout this family. To test these infrafamilial classification systems, parsimony and Bayesian-inference analyses were conducted using a broad sampling of 107 taxa representing 37 (of the 41) genera currently recognized in core Araliaceae, plus five outgroup genera. Data were collected from two molecular markers, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear rRNA genes and the intron and intergenic spacer found in the trnL-trnF region of the chloroplast genome. The results suggest that there are three major lineages of Araliaceae, and that these lineages generally correspond with the centers of diversity for the family. The Aralia and Asian Palmate groups are centered primarily in eastern and southeastern Asia, whereas the Polyscias-Pseudopanax group is found throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean basins. Several poorly resolved lineages are placed at the base of core Araliaceae, and the geographic distributions of these clades are consistent with a hypothesized rapid radiation of Araliaceae, possibly correlated with the breakup of Gondwanaland. Comparison of molecular results with the traditional systems of classification shows almost no congruence, indicating that they inadequately reflect phylogenetic relationships. Moreover, the morphological characters employed in these classifications appear to be highly homoplastic, and are thus of little utility at the infrafamilial level.
Creating safe environments for patient care: where are we today?

Five years have passed since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, To Err is Human, provided substantive insights about the magnitude of the patient safety problem in the U.S. health care system (Kohn, Corrigan, & Donaldson, 2000). Although the focus of that seminal report was on the United States, there is evidence that errors and safety in health care delivery are a global issue. In fact, the probability of adverse events is likely much higher in developing countries due to the variable quality of infrastructure and equipment and the lack of adequate financing for essential health care services. The focus also has been primarily on risks in hospitals but it is acknowledged that other settings, such as long-term care and community settings, are probably producing adverse events as well; they just have not been documented as extensively (World Health Professions Alliance, 2002). A number of reports are now appearing that assess progress made to date in improving health care delivery. It is important to note that, after 5 years of focused efforts to improve safety in health care, the public does not feel safer. High levels of dissatisfaction with health care continue to be reported and large numbers of patients and their families continue to be concerned about safety (Altman, Clancy, & Blendon, 2004). While many promising efforts have been launched, the task is far from complete. A report card on the progress to date assesses progress as insufficient over the past 5 years. Some progress has been made in the area of regulation and information technology but other areas, such as workforce training and accountability, are still in need of substantial effort. Many of the challenges relate to issues in the practice environment, such as the difficulties faced when promoting a no-blame culture. Another critical issue is the lack of mental models about what is needed to create and maintain safe care environments (Wachter, 2004). Knowledge development needs are extant in this area. Theory and model development are essential in explaining not only why empirical relationships occur but also predicting conditions when they will occur in the future. Much of the work around nurse staffing presents a relevant example. A growing body of research relating nurse staffing to adverse outcomes is available. In fact, some might characterize it as confirming the obvious. Generally, the research does not provide a clear understanding of why this occurs and what interventions might be proposed to address the multidimensional issues. The work to date has not resulted in the knowledge development and theoretical work that is so important. Theory development is needed to identify the major constructs of interest, how they relate to each other, and the contextual factors that mediate or moderate the proposed relationships (Mark, Hughes, & Jones, 2004). Until this type of theory development is done, studies will continue to document that there is a relationship between staffing and adverse patient outcomes but will not provide much insight about effective interventions to change those outcomes. …
Moveout-based geometrical-spreading correction for PS-waves in layered anisotropic media

This paper is devoted to pre-stack amplitude analysis of reflection seismic data from anisotropic (e.g., fractured) media. Geometrical-spreading correction is an important component of amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) analysis, which provides high-resolution information for anisotropic parameter estimation and fracture characterization. Here, we extend the algorithm of moveout-based anisotropic spreading correction (MASC) to mode-converted PSV-waves in VTI (transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis) media and symmetry planes of orthorhombic media. While the geometrical-spreading equation in terms of reflection traveltime has the same form for all wave modes in laterally homogeneous media, reflection moveout of PS-waves is more complicated than that of P-waves (e.g., it can become asymmetric in common-midpoint geometry). Still, for models with a horizontal symmetry plane, long-spread reflection traveltimes of PS waves can be well approximated by the Tsvankin–Thomsen and Alkhalifah–Tsvankin moveout equations, which are widely used for P-waves. Although the accuracy of the Alkhalifah–Tsvankin equation is somewhat lower, it includes fewer moveout parameters and helps to maintain the uniformity of the MASC algorithm for P- and PS-waves. The parameters of both moveout equations are obtained by least-squares traveltime fitting or semblance analysis and are different from those for P-waves. Testing on full-waveform synthetic data generated by the reflectivity method for layered VTI media confirms that MASC accurately reconstructs the plane-wave conversion coefficient from conventional-spread PS data. Errors in the estimated conversion coefficient, which become noticeable at moderate and large offsets, are mostly caused by the offset-dependent transmission loss of PS-waves.
The Impact of Attributional Processes on Triggered Displaced Aggression

The current study examined the role of attributional processes on triggered displaced aggression and specified the conditions wherein affect versus attributions would predict the degree of aggressive responding. Consistent with expectations, attributions for a minor provoking event predicted the degree of aggression towards targets that had violated expectations or where a specific attribution was provided. When no such expectancy violation occurred, only negative affect generated by the provocation predicted aggression. Furthermore, results indicated that initial feelings toward a provoking target impacted aggressive responding by influencing attributions made for a target's provoking action. When faced with a minor provocation, individuals were more likely to spontaneously attribute that event to external causes for people they like (e.g., positive valence targets), thus reducing the subsequent degree of aggressive retaliation. In contrast, for disliked targets, individuals were more likely to attribute provoking behavior to internal causes, resulting in an increase in aggression. The new model provides a theoretical extension to the cognitive-neoassociationistic perspective on aggression (L. Berkowitz, 1989, 1990, 1993).
Homogeneous assays based on deoxyribozyme catalysis

We report herein the first homogeneous assays based on the ribonuclease activity of a deoxyribozyme. The previously reported deoxyribozyme was covalently modified with biotin and used to assay biotin-binding interactions through changes in fluorescence upon substrate turnover. Deoxyribozymes with fluorescence-based reporting have the potential to serve as general analytical tools.
Population of origin and environment interact to determine oomycete infections in spotted salamander populations

Spatial variation in disease risk in wild populations can depend both on environmental and genetic factors. Understanding the various contributions of each factor requires experimental manipulation of both the environment and genetic composition of populations under natural field conditions. We first examined natural patterns of oomycete composition and infection in the eggs of 13 populations of the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum. We then performed a fully factorial field transplant of the eggs of six populations to separate the contributions from population of origin and the environment on oomycete resistance in spotted salamanders. Among wild ponds, we found strong variation in oomycete infections in spotted salamander populations and differences in the composition of oomycete communities. In transplant experiments, salamander populations differed in their resistance to oomycete infections via a significant interaction between population of origin and environment. However, not all populations were locally adapted to local conditions. One population was significantly adapted to its home environment, and another one was significantly maladapted. These population effects could originate from differential adaptation of salamander populations to local oomycete communities or environmental conditions that mediate resistance, local adaptation and maladaptation of oomycetes to hosts, or from maternal transmission. Accounting for both environment and population of origin will often be necessary to understand disease dynamics in wild populations.
Germ cell tumors in infancy and childhood: a 45-year experience.

The clinical and pathologic features of germ cell tumors in 188 patients seen at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles from 1941 to 1986 are reviewed. There were 129 females and 59 males 19 years of age or younger. Tumors were seen in the ovary (73, 39%), sacrococcygeal region (67, 36%), testis (13, 7%), pineal region (10, 5%), mediastinum (8, 4%), and other sites (17, 9%). The mean age at diagnosis of patients with sacrococcygeal tumors was 11 months, and for those with ovarian tumors it was 9.3 years. Histologically, 56% of the tumors were benign, 15% had immature tissues, and 29% had frankly malignant tumors. Patients with immature tumors and elevated serum alphafetoprotein levels at diagnosis had a higher incidence of tumor relapse (p =. 004). The histology of the recurrent tumors in these patients was embryonal carcinoma. Of 54 patients with malignant tumors, 27 are alive with no evidence of recurrence, 5 died of non-disease-related causes, and 22 (41%) had tumor recurrence within 3 years of initial ...
Physics of cluster assembled materials

Abstract Atomic clusters with a large surface to volume ratio exhibit unique structural and electronic properties. It is expected that novel materials could be synthesized if clusters, instead of atoms, can be used as building blocks. The key in this process is to prevent the clusters from coalescing. This could be achieved by passivating the clusters or by embedding them in matrices. It is also possible to envision a new class of clusters whose size and composition can be manipulated to render them unusual stability. This paper deals with such “designer” clusters and discusses the properties of crystals of those clusters.
Adenocarcinoma of rete testisrole of inguinal orchiectomy plus retroperitoneal lymph node dissection

Abstract Adenocarminoma of the rete testis is diagnosed rarely. We describe the clinical and pathologic findings in a forty-seven-year-old man with this unusual tumor. Treatment modalities are reviewed emphasizing the role of radical orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
Female Employment and Reproductive Behavior in Taiwan, 1980

The impact of female employment on fertility preferences and behavior is examined with data from a 1980national sample of Taiwanese women. The guiding hypothesis is that the greater the involvement of women in the impersonal market sector, the lower the fertility preferences, the longer the first birth interval, and the lower the actual fertility. Findings reveal that female employment in Taiwan is only weakly related to reproductive behavior. Even with increased participation of women in the modern market sector, female employment apparently has little impact on fertility preferences or behavior. Implications are drawn for policies aimed at lowering fertility.
Therapist effects in psychotherapy: A random-effects modeling of the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program data

Abstract Data for completer and intent-to-treat samples from the two psychotherapy conditions of the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program were analyzed to estimate the proportion of variability in outcomes resulting from therapists. Therapists, who were nested within treatments, were considered a random factor in multilevel analyses. These analyses, which modeled therapist variability in several different ways, indicated that about 8% of the variance in outcomes was attributable to therapists, whereas 0% was due to the particular treatment delivered. When therapist effects were appropriately modeled, previously detected differences in efficacy between the two psychotherapy conditions for more severely depressed patients disappeared, as predicted by methodological considerations. Daten von vollstandigen Stichproben mit einer Behandlungsabsicht, von den beiden Psychotherapiebedingungen des gemeinsamen Forschungsprogramms des Nationalen Instituts fur psyc...