cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical Attactiveness and Romantic Evolvement

Berscheid and Walster (1974) have concluded that dating preferences are determined by perceptions of physical anractiveness and that such perceptions are influenced by acquaintanceship with the individual one is assessing; more favorable evaluations are made for those whom we know. Romantic couples can be classed by the time the partners knew each other before a mutual attracrion developed. It is reasonable to hypothesize that members of couples whose romances began shortly after meeting would be less discrepant in physical attractiveness than couples whose relationships evolved gradually from friendship to love. To test the theory, an initial sample of 75 romantic college couples for whom peer ratings of physical atuactiveness were available was obtained from Feingold (1981). For 72 couples, the men and women of each dyad estimated the interval that elapsed from the time the partners met until the two became romantically "involved." For 26 couples, both members agreed this period had lasted three months or less ("Quick Attraction" group). Both parties of 23 couples concurred independently that they had known each other at least eight months before dating ("Delayed Attraction" group). Physical attractiveness discrepancy scores were obtained by determining the absolute value of the difference between the man's and woman's standard scores for each couple. As predicted, couples in the Quick Attraction group had a lower mean discrepancy score than those in the Delayed Attraction group (tr; = 1.42, p < .lo). Further analysis indicated that combining dam from couples in varying stages of courtship lowered obtained significance. All subjects had previously reported on a questionnaire whether they were "in love" with their partners. Limiting the analysis to the couples in which both members purported to be in love, the couples in the Quidc Attraction group were appreciably less discrepant in physical attractiveness (tm = 2.07, p < .025). An analysis restricted to "dating-steady" couples also showed those delayed in attraction to be more discrepant in attractiveness (t~ = 2.36, P < .025). The noteworthy discrepancy between the Quick and Delayed Attraction groups was found when comparing couples who were in love and dating steady (tn = 2.83, p < .01). The hypothesis was supported, bur only for romantic couples in "serious" relationships. REFERENCES
Grain growth in systems with anisotropic boundary mobility: Analytical model and computer simulation

We investigate the effect of anisotropy in grain boundary mobility on the dynamics, morphology, and topology of grain growth, using both analytical and numerical calculations on a generalized anisotropic phase field model. The dependence of the grain boundary mobility on both inclination and misorientation is included. In contrast to the isotropic case, where a single grain in a polycrystalline system grows linearly with time, it is found that the growth rate of a single n-sided grain in the anisotropic case is time dependent. The growth rate of the average area is also time dependent, except for the two limiting cases of textured and randomly oriented grain structures. However, strong grain shape anisotropy develops in the textured case, indicating that the grains grow in a non-self-similar manner. In the intermediate case, the deviation from a growth exponent of unity is of order 10%, while the size and edge distributions are similar to those of the isotropic system. Our results indicate that statistical self-similarity may not be required for linear growth kinetics and time-invariant size and edge distributions.
Characterizing dispersion in microfluidic channels

Dispersion or spreading of analyte bands is a barrier to achieving high resolution in microfluidic separations. The role of dispersion in separations is reviewed with emphasis on metrics, sources and common principles of analysis. Three sources of dispersion (a) inhomogeneous flow fields, (b) solute wall interactions and (c) force fields normal to channel walls are studied in detail. Microfluidic and nanofluidic applications to capillary electrophoresis, chromatography and field-flow fractionation, that are subject to one or more of these three physical processes under standard, unintentional or novel operating conditions, are discussed.
Formation of a mesonic state in the pp interaction at 1.32 GeV/c☆

Abstract In a bubble chamber experiment, the reaction p p→ϱ o ϱ o π o is found, only at 1.33±0.02 GeV/c, with a cross section of 0.5±0.1 mb. This effect is attributed to the formation of an IG=1− state, π(2190)→→ϱoϱoπo.
Identification of specific histidine residues and the carboxyl terminus are essential for serotonin N-acetyltransferase enzymatic activity.

Abstract Melatonin is synthesized in pinealocytes of the pineal gland and in photoreceptors of the retina. Synthesis rate from serotonin to melatonin is controlled by the rapid and dramatic enzymatic increase in darkness of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AA-NAT, EC 2.3.1.87) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT, EC 2.1.1.4). The primary structure of these critical indoleamine enzymes is now known and the regulation of the enzyme catalysis can be examined. As a first step, the conserved cysteine (C) and histidine (H) residues were targeted for site-directed mutagenesis as potential amino acid residues involved in the N-acetylation reaction of AA-NAT. Our studies concluded that among 6 histidine (H) to alanine (A) mutations, three residues (H110A, H118A, H120A) within the AA-NAT protein showed little or no enzymatic activity, whereas the others (H28A, H70A, H125A) retained enzymatic activity, compared to the unaltered AA-NAT protein. Cysteine to alanine mutations, C37A and C177A, had no significant effect on the AA-NAT enzymatic activity; however, C61A had a four-fold increase in Km for acetyl CoA and an altered sensitivity to the thiol modification chemical, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), implying that C61 may participate in the acetyl CoA binding. Further studies examined the AA-NAT enzyme regulation of the highly conserved carboxyl terminus. When 12 terminal amino acid residues were deleted systematically from the carboxyl terminus of the 205 amino acid residue AA-NAT protein, enzyme activity was retained. However, further residue deletion resulted in enzyme activity plummeting, implicating that the essential information either for the correct structural folding into an active enzyme form or for enzyme stability is in the 193 residues. To test the relative importance of the AA-NAT carboxyl terminal region, a single leucine (L) was altered to alanine (A) or proline (P). Both mutants, either L193A or L193P, had a marked decrease in AA-NAT enzymatic activity and a decrease in thermal stability, suggesting the leucine, in addition to the cysteine and histidine residues, is involved in either enzyme catalysis or stability. In light of the recently reported three-dimensional structure of AA-NAT (17,18), the site-directed mutagenesis data demonstrate experimentally the importance of essential amino acid residues for acetyl CoA binding and AA-NAT activation.
Infrared dielectric response and lattice vibrations of calcium and strontium oxides

Abstract Measurements of the infrared optical and static dielectric properties of CaO and SrO are reported. The reflection spectra of single crystals and the transmission spectra of both single crystals and polycrystalline films are interpreted in terms of a classical oscillator theory. The Szigeti effective charges are found to be in only moderate agreement with theoretical values derived from a shell model. The multiphonon spectra are also reported but interpretation is not possible because of the lack of dispersion data.
Characteristics of the β-Adrenergic Receptor Complex in the Epicardial Border Zone of the 5-Day Infarcted Canine Heart

Background The effect of isoproterenol on increasing the peak amplitude of the L-type calcium current is reduced in myocytes dispersed from the epicardial border zone (EBZ) of the 5-day infarcted canine heart when compared with control cells from noninfarcted hearts. This suggests that specific alterations in the β-adrenergic receptor complex develop in this setting. The present study is an examination of individual components of the β-adrenergic receptor complex with the aim of elucidating the biochemical defect(s) that might be responsible for the diminished β-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in the myocytes that survive in the infarcted heart. Methods and Results We compared components of the β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in membranes prepared from the EBZ of the 5-day infarcted heart and a remote, noninfarcted region (RZ) of the same ventricle as well as the corresponding regions of noninfarcted ventricles. Defects in multiple components of the β-adrenergic receptor complex were confined t...
Leader selection games under link noise injection attacks

In a leader-follower multi-agent system, the states of a set of leader agents are controlled directly by the system owner and used to influence the behavior of the remaining follower agents. When deployed in hostile environments, leader-follower systems may be disrupted by adversaries introducing noise in the communication links between agents through interference or false packet insertion, thus corrupting the states of the follower agents. In this paper, we study the problem of mitigating the effect of noise injection attacks by selecting leader agents. We address two cases within a supermodular game-theoretic framework. In the first case, a fixed set of leaders is chosen when the system is initialized. We model this case as a Stackelberg game, in which the system moves first by choosing leaders in order to minimize the worst-case error and the adversary responds by introducing noise. In the second case, the set of leaders varies over time. We study the second case as a simultaneous-move game between the system and an adversary. We show that the game formulations for both cases have equilibria that can be approximated up to a provable bound using supermodular optimization techniques. We illustrate our approach via simulations.
Association of Training Level and Short–term Cosmetic Appearance of Repaired Lacerations

Objective: To determine the association between emergency practitioner level of training and cosmetic appearance of primarily closed wounds as evaluated at the time of suture removal. Methods: A retrospective analysis of wound registry data was performed. At the time of wound closure, standard data were collected including details of patient demographics, wound characteristics, preparation, closure, and postoperative care, for consecutive patients sutured in the ED. Follow–up data were obtained at the time of the return visit using a previously described cosmetic scale. With the scale, all lacerations were assigned 0 or 1 point each for the presence or absence of six items: a step–off of borders; contour irregularities; margin separation; edge inversion; excessive distortion; and overall appearance. For analysis, the proportion of wounds with a score of 6 (optimal cosmetic appearance in all categories) was associated with practitioner level of training. Results: Five hundred fifty–two patients' wounds were evaluated. The percentages of various practitioners' achieving an optimal cosmetic score were: medical students (MSs), 50%; first–year residents (EMls), 54%; second–year residents (EM2s), 66%; third–year residents (EM3s), 68%; physician assistants (PAs), 70%; and attending physicians (APs), 66%. The senior practitioners (EM2s, EM3s, PAs, APs) were significantly more likely to obtain a maximal cosmetic score than were the junior practitioners (MSs, EMls) (68% vs 52%, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Significant improvement in short–term cosmetic results following wound repair is associated with a training level beyond PGY1. These data reinforce the need for careful patient selection and close supervision of wound repair by trainees, especially of wound repair by medical students and interns.
Evaluation of Commercial Kits for Dual Extraction of DNA and RNA from Human Body Fluids

STR typing of DNA evidence can identify the donor with a high power of discrimination but cannot identify the tissue origin of a body-fluid stain. Using RNA to attribute a crime scene stain to a particular tissue may aid in reconstruction efforts. With blood from 10 donors, four DNA and RNA coextraction kits were evaluated by measuring yields and STR and mRNA profiles. T tests indicated some significant differences in kit performance. The Zymo Research ZR-Duet(™) kit performed best based on average DNA (41.4 ng) and mRNA (4.07 ng) yields and was the only kit to provide complete DNA/RNA profiles for all samples. The consistency of this kit was challenged by data from additional blood and saliva donors. Further testing is advised before a superior kit is unequivocally chosen. Stand-alone DNA or RNA purification generally offers higher yield, but coextraction may still allow successful STR profiling and tissue source identification.
Nosocomial transmission of Serratia odorifera biogroup. 2: Case report demonstration by macrorestriction analysis of chromosomal DNA using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Objectives To investigate a cluster of Serratia odorifera in a cardiothoracic surgery unit (CTSU) and to evaluate the applicability of three typing methods for this species. Design During a surveillance surgical wound study, S odorifera was isolated from two patients in the CTSU. The patients' hospital charts were reviewed for the details of surgery and for common personnel, procedures, or medications. Cultures were obtained of water, soap, and unit dose medications from the CTSU, the operating room, and the surgical intensive care unit. The isolates' antibiograms, biotypes (Vitek identification card and API 20E), and patterns of chromosomal DNA (chrDNA) by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were examined. S odorifera isolates from our organism collection were used as controls. Setting A 900-bed university hospital with a 22-bed CTSU. Results ChrDNA patterns of isolates from the two patients were identical, suggesting a possible nosocomial source. However, no source of organisms or mode of transmission was identified. Neither biotype nor antibiogram were useful for epidemiologically typing S odorifera, and PFGE was necessary to discriminate among isolates. Conclusions Although rarely isolated, S odorifera and other non-marcescens Serratia species may cause nosocomial outbreaks. PFGE of chrDNA seems to be a reliable method for epidemiologically typing this species.
The Development of Jet Mixing Toward the Asymptotic Similar Solution

An analytic study of the development of an initially nonsimilar jet mixing velocity profile toward the final asymptotic, similar solution, is made. The corresponding incompressible boundary layer equations are solved for each of the streams above and below the dividing streamline by using Meksyn's asymptotic method of integration. The behavior of this flow development toward the final similar solution, as influenced by the initial condition, is properly described and discussed.
Non-conjugated small molecule FRET for differentiating monomers from higher molecular weight amyloid beta species.

Background Systematic differentiation of amyloid (Aβ) species could be important for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In spite of significant progress, controversies remain regarding which species are the primary contributors to the AD pathology, and which species could be used as the best biomarkers for its diagnosis. These controversies are partially caused by the lack of reliable methods to differentiate the complicated subtypes of Aβ species. Particularly, differentiation of Aβ monomers from toxic higher molecular weight species (HrMW) would be beneficial for drug screening, diagnosis, and molecular mechanism studies. However, fast and cheap methods for these specific aims are still lacking.
Behavioral Stereotypes and Control Design Strategies for a Six-Degree-of-Freedom “Walking” Vehicle

The problems posed by control of "walking" six-degree-of-freedom vehicles vary with specific task requirements. Different strategies are required for cruising "supervisory" control and precision foot placement. These, along with anthropometric and stereotypic considerations, directly affect the design of the manually operated controls and the degree to which multiple-axis/multiple-task integration can be achieved within a single controller. Systems that allow turn radius to be set in the absence of vehicle movement are best for planning and execution of slow close maneuvering while systems summing velocity vectors seem most advantageous for relatively high-speed cruise conditions. Language: en
Muscular degeneration in rats after postnatal treatment with 6-mercaptopurine.

ABSTRACT6-Meroaptopurine monohydrate was injected SC at 2 mg base/kg/day from 2 to 22 days of age to four litters of rat pups (four females, four males per litter). Control neonates were injected sc with basic saline (pH 8). Daily observations for signs of toxicity were made during the treatment period and once weekly thereafter until the rats were 6 months of age. The pups were weighed at 2, 12, 23, 34, 100, and 480 days of age. Fertility was tested at 3 to 6 months of age. From 6 months of age on, the rats were examined for tumors at 3-month intervals until the experiment was terminated at 15 months of age. A reduction in body weight of treated rats began between 34 and 100 days of age and became more pronounced by 16 months of age. Fertility was similar in treated and control groups and there were no detectable tumors in either group. The major finding in treated rats was a delayed onset of hind leg paresis that was first detected at 12 months of age. Light microscopic examination of tissues taken from...
Vertebrate protein glycosylation: diversity, synthesis and function

Protein glycosylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification found in all domains of life. Despite their significant complexity in animal systems, glycan structures have crucial biological and physiological roles, from contributions in protein folding and quality control to involvement in a large number of biological recognition events. As a result, they impart an additional level of 'information content' to underlying polypeptide structures. Improvements in analytical methodologies for dissecting glycan structural diversity, along with recent developments in biochemical and genetic approaches for studying glycan biosynthesis and catabolism, have provided a greater understanding of the biological contributions of these complex structures in vertebrates.
Flotation equilibrium of serum low density lipoproteins.

Abstract The molecular weight of human serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) was determined for the first time by sedimentation equilibrium or, more accurately, flotation equilibrium, in high concentration of KBrNaBr containing Tris-Cl buffer plus EDTA (density = 1.20 – 1.49 g/ml). Assuming both the molecular weight and the partial specific volume were unknown, the results at different densities gave a value of 2.87 ± 0.12 × 10 6 for the molecular weight and 0.965 ± 0.014 ml/g for the partial specific volume.
Experimental determination of the charge/neutral branching ratio η in the photoexcitation of π -conjugated polymers by broadband ultrafast spectroscopy

We demonstrate a long-sought reliable method for determining the important branching ratio $\ensuremath{\eta}$ between photogenerated charged polarons and neutral excitons in $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated polymer films and solutions, using femtosecond transient photomodulation spectroscopy with broad spectral range from 0.14 to $2.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. We found that both excitons and polarons are instantaneously photogenerated, but $\ensuremath{\eta}$ critically depends on the film nanomorphology, which ultimately controls the interchain coupling strength. We also found that a correlation exists within each polymer family between the obtained $\ensuremath{\eta}$ value, photoluminescence quantum efficiency, and the transient polarization memory lifetime; where the interchain coupling strength in the film determines them all. We show that $\ensuremath{\eta}$ varies from less than 1% in solutions and glassy films of poly(p-phenylene-vinylene) derivatives, where the polymer chains are relatively isolated; to more than 30% in ordered films that contain lamellae, such as regio-regular poly(3-hexyl-thiophene). Our results may serve for matching polymers to specific device applications, where polymers with large $\ensuremath{\eta}$ values are good candidates for photodetector and photovoltaic applications, whereas those with small $\ensuremath{\eta}$ values are more suitable for active layers in organic light emitting devices.
The “Green” and “Gold” Roads to Open Access: The Case for Mixing and Matching

Abstract Recent discussions on Open Access (OA) have tended to treat OA journals and self-archiving as two distinct routes. Some supporters of self-archiving even suggest that it alone can bring about full Open Access to the world's scientific literature. In this paper, it is argued that each route actually corresponds to a phase in the movement toward Open Access; that the mere fact of self-archiving is not enough; that providing some branding ability to the repositories is needed. However, doing so will eventually bring about the creation of overlay (or database) journals. The two roads, therefore, will merge to create a mature OA landscape.
The Supporting Tissues of the Tooth in Acute Secondary Agranulocytosis (Arsphenamin Neutropenia)1

Of all the lesions produced in the mucosa of the oral cavity and the pharynx by blood dyscrasias, the most marked and extended are those associated with socalled "agranulocytosis." The gingiva, tonsils and peritonsillar areas bear most damage. These tissues often appear involved even before other signs of the disease become obvious. Since the disorder shows, among other features, a decrease rather than a total absence of polymorphonuclear cells the term "acute neutropenia" has been suggested as more appropriate. While the oral manifestations in various types of leukemias were microscopically studied in the past, it was not until 1933 that the first microscopic examination of the gingiva and jaw lesions in a case of arsphenamin "agranulocytosis" which came to autopsy was reported by the author. This early study dealt mainly with the description of the changes of the alveolar bone. This discussion attempts to answer the question why the agranulocytotic lesions appear mostly in the marginal gingivae before they proceed further. The cellular reaction in the gingiva and the changes in the jaw bones will be described also. More recent elaborate studies by Fitz-Hugh and Krumbhaar, Jackson and Parker, and especially, Custer emphasize the difference between idiopathic agranulocytosis and secondary agranulocytosis, which is the result of a particular hematologic sensitivity to certain drugs or microorganisms. Though the clinical symptoms of the 2 types are alike and include fever, chills, and necrotizing process in the mucosa of the mouth and throat without anemia or thrombocytopenia, Custer maintained that the bone marrow in secondary neutropenia differs from that in idiopathic agranulocytosis. Custer examined regenerating marrow and found that in the former "granular forms in the neutrophil series predominate" while the latter is characterized by the complete failure of proliferating myeloblasts to mature into granular neutrophils. Agreeing with Fitz-Hugh and Krumbhaar, Custer believed that the absence of an "intrinsic factor" prevents the maturation. The nature of this "intrinsic factor" is unknown. Custer's findings and conclusions were confirmed by the clear-cut study of Darling, Parker and Jackson. The clinical picture of the "idiopathic" and "secondary" neutropenia is supplemented by distinct findings in the bone marrow such as an increased number of myeloblasts, lymphocytes, plasma cells and marked formation of red blood cells.
Epidemiological and Psychosocial Perspectives on Adolescent Drug Use

Patterns of use of legal and illegal drugs among adolescents, with special emphasis on marijuana, are reviewed. Developmental patterns of drug involvement and a possible maturational trend in early adulthood are highlighted. Correlates, antecedents, and consequences of marijuana use are discussed. Despite dramatic increases in the use of marijuana in American society over the last decade, youths who use marijuana in 1980 show the same pattern of disaffection from major institutions as users in 1967. Many of the factors found to be associated with marijuana at one point in time precede rather than follow from its use. Illicit drugs appear to be used by some adolescents to handle feelings of distress.
Measurements of repetitive activities of the knee

Abstract Reconstructive procedures for the arthritic knee, particularly internal prostheses, must include data on the type and frequency of knee activities if wear and loosening are to be evaluated. A description of the instrumentation and method for measuring type and frequency of knee motion in the home environment is presented. The instrumentation consists of an electrogoniometer and a miniature tape recorder to measure sagittal-plane knee motion and a data-reduction system (playback unit) that produces a d.c. voltage representative of knee motion as a function of time. The frequency and type of knee movements for specific activities—such as walking, ascending and descending stairs and sitting-and non-specific activities have been determined for normal subjects, providing a data base for subsequent comparison with arthritic subjects. Instrumentation and a method of recording a history of knee movement have been developed, and initial data indicate a high frequency of repetitive acts in the home environment.
Out-of-Pocket Costs of Childhood Immunizations: A Comparison by Type of Insurance Plan

BACKGROUND. The “Guide to Community Preventive Services” strongly recommends reducing out-of-pocket costs to increase vaccination rates among children. Nevertheless, out-of-pocket expenses are still incurred during the receipt of childhood vaccines, vaccine administration, and associated well-child visits. OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to estimate total and out-of-pocket costs of childhood immunization. METHODS. We used the 2003 benefit-plan data for all 1217 private and public health plans registered in Georgia and the 2003 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccine schedule to calculate costs to vaccinate children aged 0 to 5 years in 2003 dollars. By applying published estimates of health insurance enrollment of Georgia children, we calculated the total and out-of-pocket costs per child according to insurance status and race/ethnicity. Immunization coverage according to payer type was based on National Immunization Survey data. RESULTS. Out-of-pocket costs ranged between $0 (Medicaid/Peachcare) and $652 (uninsured/Medicare). Most out-of-pocket costs were incurred during the first year of life. Up-to-date immunization status ranged from 63.7% for uninsured persons to 83.2% for privately insured persons. Up-to-date status was negatively correlated with out-of-pocket costs and the proportion of the population below 250% of the federal poverty level. CONCLUSIONS. For most Georgia families, out-of-pocket expenses for childhood immunizations were low, favoring compliance with the recommended immunization schedule. However, families least able to afford the expense faced disproportionately high out-of-pocket costs. Out-of-pocket costs were inversely correlated with immunization coverage levels. Uninsured children whose families lived below 250% of the federal poverty level experienced the lowest immunization coverage levels. Immunization coverage through the Vaccines for Children Program and Medicaid/State Children9s Health Insurance Programs should be promoted to minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket costs related to childhood immunizations, especially among children of low-income families.
A Low-Cost Large-Scale Magnetostrictive Spark Chamber Digitizing System

A compact low-cost large-scale digitizing system for spark chambers has been developed. This system uses a single clocked scaler and a high-speed integrated-circuit memory. The number of words of memory required is equal to the sum of the number of sparks expected in all the chamber gaps plus the number of start fiducial pulses expected (one per transducer channel). Each magnetostrictive transducer is assigned certain addresses in the memory. As pulses arrive from the sensors, the current contents of the scaler are stored in the appropriate preassigned addresses of the memory. To avoid synchronization problems, a Graycode scaler is used. The memory is made of 16-bit integrated-circuit scratch pad memory elements. The system could be operated with the clock frequencies of up to 40 MHz. The storage capacity of the system is expandable. This system is compared with other known systems.
Electric Field Exposure Activates Immunocytes: Evidence for Calcium Dependency

The controversy concerning the health effects of electric field exposure, such as electromagnetic radiation (EMF), exists because of the apparent subtle effects it may cause on living tissues and organisms as noted by the inconclusive results of many investigations. Rather than follow the traditional approach of studying whole-body systems, we have examined the acute effect of electric field exposure on the immunocytes of Mytilus edulis. The results show that an in vitro electric field produced by direct current can enhance immunocyte activation and conformational change followed by locomotion, whereas repeated continuous exposure results in eventual death. EMF appears to enhance membrane permeability to calcium, which can be prevented in low electric fields by the calcium channel antagonist nimopidine. Since nimopidine protects the cells from EMF, it suggests that this form of radiation causes cell death by inducing the influx of calcium.
Cholesterol Promotes the Interaction of Alzheimer β-Amyloid Monomer with Lipid Bilayer

Cholesterol in the plasma membrane plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, but the exact function of cholesterol in the regulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) generation, aggregation, and toxicity remains elusive. To gain insight into the bioactivity of cholesterol, we investigate the effect of cholesterol levels on the interaction of Aβ(1-42) monomer with the zwitterionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayer containing different mole fractions of cholesterol from χ=0, 0.2, to 0.4 using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Simulation results show that an increased cholesterol level alters the structure, dynamics, and surface chemistry of the lipid bilayer, leading to increased bilayer thickness, hydrophobic chain order, surface hydrophobicity, and decreased lipid mobility. All these effects significantly promote the binding of Aβ to the lipid bilayer. Mechanistically, the adsorption of Aβ on the bilayer is a cooperative process. First, charged residues act as anchors to establish the initial binding of Aβ to phosphate headgroups of the bilayer driven by electrostatic interactions, which further facilitates hydrophobic residues to reside on the bilayer. Once hydrophobic residues especially from C-terminus are locked on the bilayer, the interactions among charged residues, lipid bilayer, and calcium ions are optimized to provide additional attractive forces to stabilize Aβ adsorbed on or inserted into the lipid bilayer. Inclusion of cholesterol makes this binding process more energetically favorable. Upon adsorption on the bilayer, Aβ appears to preferentially adopt α-helical or unstructured conformation. This work supports that cholesterol acts as a promoter for Aβ--membrane interactions, which would facilitate Aβ aggregation and membrane insertion.
Simulation studies of self-associating systems; discrimination between specific and isodesmic associations.

Abstract The possibilities of discriminating between definite and indefinite (isodesmic) modes of self-association are explored by fitting the different models to simulated data, using non-linear least-squares curve-fitting to determine the fitting parameters for real and impostor models. It was found that over an extensive range of values for the equilibrium constant of a non-ideal isodesmic generating model, only a non-ideal monomer-dimer-tetramer-octamer was a successful impostor model. Some criteria for rejecting inappropriate models are discussed.
Methyl methacrylate oligomerically-modified clay and its poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Abstract A methyl methacrylate oligomerically-modified clay was used to prepare poly(methyl methacrylate) clay nanocomposites by melt blending and the effect of the clay loading level on the modified clay and corresponding nanocomposite was studied. These nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry. The results show a mixed intercalated/delaminated morphology with good nanodispersion. The compatibility between the methylacrylate-subsituted clay and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are greatly improved compared to other oligomerically-modified clays.
Oral Formula and Intertextuality in the Chinese “Folk” Tradition (Yuefu)

AbstractPrevious interpretations of early Chinese poetry (especially Han and Six Dynasties yuefu, or folk poetry) in terms of Milman Parry's and Albert Lord's oral-traditional poetics have run into a variety of conceptual and practical difficulties. I attempt to offer a more fruitful reading of the yuefu corpus in terms of orality, drawing in part on a re-reading of Parry and Lord and in part on recent linguistics-oriented scholarship in Classics. Through an analysis of three anonymous yuefu, and two by named authors (Shen Yue and Xiao Tong), I argue for the interpretation of the anonymous poems as constructed on principles familiar from oral poetics, such as the use of formulaic systems for generating phrases, and show that the yuefu by named poets are constructed differently. Similarly, I demonstrate that the anonymous poems, while seemingly random in thematic sequencing, share a division into six-line units, while the yuefu by named poets are more tightly integrated thematically but divided into units ...
Modeling the impacts of soil hydraulic properties on temporal stability of soil moisture under a semi-arid climate

Summary Despite the significant spatiotemporal variability of soil moisture, the phenomenon of temporal stability of soil moisture ( TS SM ) has been widely observed in field studies. However, the lack of understandings of the factors that control TS SM has led to some contradictory findings about TS SM . To resolve this issue, numerical models may offer an alternative way to complement field studies by quantifying different controls on TS SM . In this study, a 1-D vadose zone model was adopted to simulate daily soil moisture contents, which were used to compute the mean relative difference ( MRD ) and standard deviation of relative difference ( SDRD ) of soil moisture. Different from recent modeling studies, a soil dataset was employed with 200 samples of correlated soil hydraulic parameters for sandy soils. Compared to the results of previous modeling studies, more reasonable patterns of MRD and SDRD that resembled field observations were produced. By varying soil hydraulic parameter values, different patterns of MRD and SDRD could also be generated, implying variations in soil hydraulic properties could partly control the patterns of MRD and SDRD . More specifically, the residual soil moisture content ( θ r ) was found to be the primary control on MRD , mainly due to the semi-arid climate that was simulated. By fixing θ r , however, a highly nonlinear relationship emerged between MRD and the shape factor n in the van Genuchten model, which resulted in the positively skewed distributions of MRD widely observed for sandy soils in field experiments. Moreover, both the range and skewness of the distributions of MRD were affected by the range of n . In addition, with increasing n , a positive correlation between MRD and the shape factor l in the van Genuchten model was also found. The simulation results suggested that the control of soil hydraulic properties on MRD might weaken for areas under bare surface conditions or for regions with more humid climates due to elevated soil moisture contents. Therefore, the impacts of soil hydraulic properties on TS SM may vary under different climate regimes.
Control of near-grazing dynamics and discontinuity-induced bifurcations in piecewise-smooth dynamical systems

This paper develops a rigorous control paradigm for regulating the near-grazing bifurcation behavior of limit cycles in piecewise-smooth dynamical systems. In particular, it is shown that a discrete-in-time linear feedback correction to a parameter governing a state-space discontinuity surface can suppress discontinuity-induced fold bifurcations of limit cycles that achieve near-tangential intersections with the discontinuity surface. The methodology ensures a persistent branch of limit cycles over an interval of parameter values near the critical condition of tangential contact that is an order of magnitude larger than that in the absence of control. The theoretical treatment is illustrated with a harmonically excited damped harmonic oscillator with a piecewise-linear spring stiffness as well as with a piecewise-nonlinear model of a capacitively excited mechanical oscillator. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NMR spectra of tricyclic compounds oriented in the nematic phase: The spectrum of phenazine

The NMR spectrum of phenazine, the tricyclic diazine, oriented in a nematic phase is investigated. The ratios of the interproton distances are determined. They do not deviate significantly from the corresponding values in quinoxaline oriented in a thermotropic solvent.
Adipokine Response in Diabetics and Nondiabetics Following the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Preliminary Study

Introduction. The adipocyte influences eating behavior and metabolism via cytokine secretion. We report our findings of adipokine secretion in a cohort of diabetic and nondiabetic morbidly obese patients before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Methods. Ten morbidly obese subjects who underwent uncomplicated RYGB were studied: five were diabetic and nine were female. Nonfasting plasma levels of adiponectin, resistin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined preoperatively and 6 mo postoperatively. C-reactive protein (CRP) was followed as a marker of the metabolic syndrome. Results. The patient age was 42 ± 11 y, and the preoperative BMI was 50 ± 6 kg/m 2 . The 6 mo BMI fell to 33 ± 5 kg/m 2 (P < 0.0001), and there were no differences between diabetics and nondiabetics with respect to amount of weight loss. In nondiabetic patients, there were significant increases compared with preoperative levels for adiponectin, resistin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha; leptin was significantly decreased while CRP was unchanged. CRP and leptin levels were both significantly lower (P < 0.05), while all other protein levels were unchanged in diabetic patients. Conclusions. At 6 mo postoperation, RYGB significantly altered most adipokine levels for nondiabetic patients. Only CRP and leptin were changed in diabetic patients. All patients lost a significant amount of weight over 6 mo, suggesting a different metabolic effect between nondiabetic and diabetic patients after RYGB.
The Origins of the Cold War in United States History Textbooks

The impact of the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union on American politics and society during the post-World War II era can hardly be overstated. As Gary B. Nash and his coauthors point out in their textbook, The American People, "The Cold War was the greatest single force affecting American society during the decade and a half after World War II."' Scholars must therefore use the Cold War as the starting point for explanations of American diplomatic, political, social, economic, and cultural history in the post-1945 era. The importance of the Cold War in shaping American politics and society is perhaps obvious to those who lived through it. For the baby boom generation, the dramas that the Cold War produced around the globe, from Greece to Berlin to Korea to Cuba to Vietnam, were vivid events that made a lasting impact, at least on members' impressions of, or attitudes toward, world and national affairs. How and why the Cold War began was an issue of immediate political relevance as well as a question for historical analysis. But for students who are just coming of age, it will become increasingly difficult to understand the sources of all the excitement, fear, and tension. The end of the Cold War is likely to obscure the roots of the passions it aroused. As the Cold War fades into distant collective memory, the reasons why Americans attached life-and-death significance to the struggle with the Soviet Union will become less apparent. The trend is under way; John Lewis Gaddis has recently observed that "our students are already beginning to raise [the question of] what the Cold War was all about in the first place."2 Those students, even more than their predecessors, will need to be educated about the Cold War and its implications for the development of modern American society.
Spectacles and Sociability: Rousseau's Response in His Letter to d'Alembert to Montesquieu's Treatment of the Theatre and of French and English Society

SummaryScholars have pointed to Montesquieu's influence on Rousseau's work generally. Other scholars, who focus more intently on the Letter to d'Alembert, discern a crucial but limited influence of Montesquieu in two of Rousseau's teachings there: first, that some practices, including the theatre, can be appropriate and even wholesome for some societies, while noxious for others; and second, that mores are important in determining what types of laws and institutions a given people can tolerate and maintain. Careful consideration of Rousseau's Letter in light of Montesquieu's Persian Letters and Spirit of the Laws reveals a much more pervasive influence, however. Rousseau's depictions of the theatre as well as his discussions of the role of women in both French and English society reveal that the Letter bears a striking resemblance to, and, in fact, appears to be a response to, aspects of Montesquieu's thought. Montesquieu's captivating depictions of the sociability that the French theatre can engender was...
Review of Jonathan D. Moreno, The Body Politic: The Battle Over Science in America

Jonathan Moreno quietly continues to be the most interesting bioethicist of our time. He is without peer in appreciating the subtle but important role of bioethical discourse, conflict, and consens...
Extending Case-Based Reasoning to Network Alert Reporting

A substantial amount of cyber security analyst time is spent handling well-known and naive threats and policy violations on the local network. This includes both the time spent actually identifying and analyzing the activity as well as generating and filing reports associated with the activity. With increasing concern over advanced persistent threats, there is an interest in the development of techniques to automatically handle well-known threats and policy violations. We propose extensions to existing case-based reasoning approaches to support the unique requirements of cyber security report generation. Specifically, we consider the fact that we are reporting on hostile actors that will attempt to game the system or manipulate the system to actually aid the actors in obfuscating their activity. In this paper, we describe the need for automated reporting, the applicability of case-based reasoning, our proposed extension to the standard case-based reasoning system model, and provide examples of the modified case-based reasoning system as applied to example cyber security scenarios.
Cervical vertebrae maturation method morphologic criteria: poor reproducibility.

Introduction The cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) method has been advocated as a predictor of peak mandibular growth. A careful review of the literature showed potential methodologic errors that might influence the high reported reproducibility of the CVM method, and we recently established that the reproducibility of the CVM method was poor when these potential errors were eliminated. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the reproducibility of the individual vertebral patterns. In other words, the purpose was to determine which of the individual CVM vertebral patterns could be classified reliably and which could not. Methods Ten practicing orthodontists, trained in the CVM method, evaluated the morphology of cervical vertebrae C2 through C4 from 30 cephalometric radiographs using questions based on the CVM method. The Fleiss kappa statistic was used to assess interobserver agreement when evaluating each cervical vertebrae morphology question for each subject. The Kendall coefficient of concordance was used to assess the level of interobserver agreement when determining a "derived CVM stage" for each subject. Results Interobserver agreement was high for assessment of the lower borders of C2, C3, and C4 that were either flat or curved in the CVM method, but interobserver agreement was low for assessment of the vertebral bodies of C3 and C4 when they were either trapezoidal, rectangular horizontal, square, or rectangular vertical; this led to the overall poor reproducibility of the CVM method. These findings were reflected in the Fleiss kappa statistic. Furthermore, nearly 30% of the time, individual morphologic criteria could not be combined to generate a final CVM stage because of incompatible responses to the 5 questions. Intraobserver agreement in this study was only 62%, on average, when the inconclusive stagings were excluded as disagreements. Intraobserver agreement was worse (44%) when the inconclusive stagings were included as disagreements. For the group of subjects that could be assigned a CVM stage, the level of interobserver agreement as measured by the Kendall coefficient of concordance was only 0.45, indicating moderate agreement. Conclusions The weakness of the CVM method results, in part, from difficulty in classifying the vertebral bodies of C3 and C4 as trapezoidal, rectangular horizontal, square, or rectangular vertical. This led to the overall poor reproducibility of the CVM method and our inability to support its use as a strict clinical guideline for the timing of orthodontic treatment.
Color Doppler Imaging in the Management of Intraocular Tumors

Forty-four intraocular mass lesions were studied using a new, non-invasive ultrasound technique known as color Doppler imaging (CDI). This technique displays color-encoded Doppler flow information throughout a two-dimensional gray scale image thus providing selective analysis of Doppler spectra in small vessels using pulsed Doppler. Abnormal Doppler shifts were demonstrated within 39 neoplastic lesions studied, but Doppler shifts could not be detected in three tumor-simulating lesions. In a group of 12 choroidal melanomas studied after radiation therapy, lower Doppler shifts were seen compared with a group of 28 tumors before therapy. This change in Doppler shift may reflect the decreased vascular supply of the tumor. Color Doppler imaging may be of value as an additional useful tool in the diagnosis and management of intraocular tumors.
Looking back at forward-looking monetary policy

Abstract One explanation for accommodative monetary policy in the 1970s is that the Federal Reserve responded less aggressively to inflation. Using real-time estimates of future inflation, I estimate Taylor rule type reaction functions for monetary policy. Contrary to results that rely on final, revised data, I show that the FOMC’s intended response to inflation was similar during both periods. Policy may have turned out to be accommodative largely because of the FOMC’s difficulty in forecasting inflation or because the Federal Reserve’s inflation target was higher in the 1970s, but not because they responded less aggressively to inflation.