cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-reported changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and screen time among informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background Informal caregivers providing unpaid assistance may be vulnerable to changes in health behaviors due to modifications in caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this cross-sectional study explored self-reported changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and screen time among informal caregivers providing care for older adults aged 50+ during the pandemic. Methods Study participants were recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk and reported their perceived changes (increased a lot, increased a little, remained the same, decreased a little, decreased a lot) in moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), sedentary behavior, and screen time (weekday and weekend) during the pandemic. For analytic purposes, response categories were categorized into three-level ordinal variables-increased (increased a lot, increased a little), no change (remained the same), decreased (decreased a little, decreased a lot). Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the likelihood of changes (vs. no change) in MPA, VPA, sedentary behavior, and screen time (weekday, weekend) based on caregiving and demographic characteristics. Results In total, 2574 individuals accessed the study link, 464 of whom did not meet eligibility requirements. In addition, people who completed 80% or less of the survey (n = 1171) and/or duplicate IP addresse (n = 104) were excluded, resulting in an analytic sample of n = 835. The sample was 69% male, had a mean age of 34 (SD = 9.7), and 48% reported increased VPA, while 55% reported increased MPA. The majority also reported increased sedentary behavior, as well as increased screen time. Respondents living with their care recipient were more likely to report increased weekday screen time (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16) and sedentary behavior (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.28-2.53) than respondents not living with the care recipient. Those living with their care recipient were also more likely to reported increased MPA (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.16-2.32), and VPA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.09-2.15), but also more likely to report a decrease in VPA (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.14-2.70). Conclusion The majority of respondents reported that their MPA, VPA PA, sedentary behavior, and screen time had changed during the pandemic. Living with the care recipient was associated with both positive and negative changes in behavior. Future research can explore factors associated with these reported changes in behavior.
A New Type of Neutron Detector Using Multiwire Chambers

A new type of neutron flux and energy-measuring detector, which uses large-area ΔE and E detectors, and multiwire chambers (MWC) is being developed. The purpose is to allow one to measure neutron elastic and inelastic scattering and in particular to measure (n,xn) neutron continuum over a wide energy range. The detector offers many distinct advantages over the conventional neutron time-of-flight (TOF) method. The system was tested using a large area CH2 converter to produce recoil protons, which are tracked in the two MWC’s and registered in the AE and E detectors. A 7Li(p,n) spectrum from 62 MeV protons was measured and a 40Ca(n,n′) spectrum from 65 MeV neutrons was also measured.
Contractual Versus Actual Severance Pay Following CEO Turnover

Using hand-collected data, we document the details of the ex-ante severance contracts and the ex-post separation pay given to S&P500 CEOs upon departing from their companies. We analyze what determines whether or not a departing CEO receives separation pay in excess of her severance contract. We find that discretionary separation pay is, on average, $8 million, which amounts to close to 242% of a CEO’s annual compensation. We investigate several potential explanations for this phenomenon and find evidence that in voluntary CEO departures, discretionary separation pay represents a governance problem. In contrast, we find evidence that in forced departures, discretionary separation pay is used to facilitate an amicable and smooth transition from the failed ex-CEO to a new CEO. These results help to shed light on the dual role played by severance compensation and on the bargaining game played between the board and the departing executive.
Water quality perceptions in the US

v CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER TWO MIDWESTERN RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF WATER QUALITY 12 CHAPTER THREE A MULTILEVEL APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY PERCEPTIONS 43 CHAPTER FOUR DON’T KNOW RESPONSES IN WATER QUALITY SURVEYS 72 CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION AND PUBLIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS 95
Representational frameworks and models for human-computer interfaces

This paper is mainly based on discussions between a computer scientist and a psychologist concerning models of human-computer interaction. It tries to specify what a model is, which purpose it serves, and which components of human-computer interaction have to be modelled. Furthermore, these specifications are compared with already existing models.
Metabolic reconstruction databases and their application to metabolomics research

Abstract: metabolic reconstruction databases model metabolic knowledge about an organism and facilitate interpretation of metabolomics data. These databases can be extended with findings from metabolomics studies to provide an up-to-date, centralized repository of metabolic knowledge about an organism. This chapter describes the MetaCyc family of Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs). Members of this database family were derived from the MetaCyc database, share its curation principles, and rely on a software environment called Pathway Tools for their construction, refinement, querying, and data analysis. The chapter describes how PGDBs are created, and the query, visualization, and metabolomics data analysis tools available for PGDBs.
SFL: a structured dataflow language based on SQL and FP

SFL (pronounced as Sea-Flow) is an analytics system that supports a declarative language that extends SQL for specifying the dataflow of data-intensive analytics. The extended SQL language is motivated by providing a top-level representation of the converged platform for analytics and data management. Due to fast data access and reduced data transfer, such convergence has become the key to speed up and scale up data intensive BI applications. A SFL query is constructed from conventional queries in terms of Function Forms (FFs). While a conventional SQL query represents a dataflow tree, a SFL query represents a more general dataflow graph. We support SFL query execution by tightly integrating it with the evaluation of its component queries to minimize the overhead of data retrieval, copying, moving and buffering, which actually turns a query engine to a generalized dataflow engine. The experimental results based on a prototype built by extending the PostgreSQL engine are discussed.
Erectile Function Significant Enough for Penetration During Sexual Intercourse after Removal of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis

ABSTRACT Introduction Fifty‐two‐year‐old male with history of multiple insults to his erectile tissue, including insertion and removal of penile implant, presents with significant partial erectile function, substantial enough for anal penetration during sexual intercourse. Aim Erectile function rigid enough for anal penetration, let alone any erectile function after removal of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP), is rare. This article, to our knowledge, is the first case of a patient who has undergone multiple insults to his erectile tissue, including an episode of ischemic priapism followed by implantation and removal of an IPP, who presents with erectile function sufficient enough for coitus. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measured via standardized patient questionnaires and penile Doppler following injection of Trimix. Method An objective measure of the patient's erectile function was performed via penile Doppler. Results Penile Doppler after 10‐mcg injection of Trimix revealed numerous perforating vessels from the corpora spongiosum providing blood flow to the corpora cavernosa. The patient obtained approximately 60–70% rigid erection. Conclusions To our knowledge, and after thorough review of the literature, we could not find any reports of erectile function significant enough to take part in sexual intercourse and penetration after removal of a three‐piece IPP. The implant usually disrupts the normal anatomy which allows for cavernosal arterial vasodilation and increased blood flow into the corpora. Following dilation of the corpora the cylinders are inserted and inflated, and the smooth muscle that makes up the corpora cavernosum is compressed against the wall of the tunica albuginea. Theoretically, the remaining smooth muscle tissue may retain some of its physiologic function, adding some additional girth to the penis with an already activated IPP during sexual intercourse. Martinez DR, Mennie PA, and Carrion R. Erectile function significant enough for penetration during sexual intercourse after removal of inflatable penile prosthesis. J Sex Med 2012;9:2938–2942.
Rose bengal positive epithelial microerosions as a manifestation of equine keratomycosis.

Purpose To describe the clinical appearance of corneal epithelial cell microerosions associated with keratomycosis in the horse. Methods Retrospective clinical study. Results Multifocal, punctate, superficial corneal opacities with positive rose bengal retention were noted in six horses with presumed ‘viral keratitis’. Faint fluorescein staining was also present in three cases. Equine herpesvirus tissue culture inoculation was negative for a cytopathic effect in three cases. Aspergillus (n= 3), Curvularia (n= 1), and an unidentified fungus (n= 1) were cultured in five horses, and hyphae found on corneal cytology from the sixth. Mixed bacterial infections were present in three eyes. The eyes of two horses with Aspergillus progressed to deep melting corneal ulcers that required surgical therapy. The microerosions remained superficial, but persistent in the other four eyes. Natamycin was utilized topically in all six horses. Transmission electron microscopy from case 6 revealed mucin layer disruption, an intact corneal epithelial cell layer, and fungal attachment to degenerating epithelial cells. The visual outcome was positive in all six horses, although healing was prolonged (48.5 ± 14.5 days on average in the horses with no surgery; 62 days on average in the two horses that required surgery). Conclusions Complete removal or full-thickness penetration of the corneal epithelial cell barrier may not be necessary to allow fungal adherence and initiation of keratomycosis in the horse. Prior to colonization and invasion of the horse cornea, fungi may induce changes in the mucin layer of the tear film that result in or are associated with rose bengal positive microerosions of the superficial corneal epithelium. Horses with painful eyes, and eyes with superficial, multifocal corneal opacities should have their corneas stained with both fluorescein and rose bengal as fungal microerosions may stain weakly, or not at all, with fluorescein, and may thus be mistaken for presumed ‘viral keratitis’ of the horse.
The variable effect of form and lemma frequencies on phonetic variation: Evidence from /s/ realization in two varieties of Colombian Spanish

Research has shown that frequency conditions the variable realization of sounds. However, the literature has not addressed whether the frequency of the individual word forms, or form frequency, has a larger conditioning effect than the combined frequencies of the members of the paradigm to which the forms belong, or lemma frequency. Monofactorial correlation tests and monofac- torial and multifactorial linear regression analyses are performed on 2,734 tokens of Spanish /s/ in sociolinguistic interviews conducted in Cali and Barranquilla, Colombia. Two findings are highlighted: (1) frequency is only significant in the variety of Spanish that has low overall rates of /s/ reduction, Cali, and (2) form frequency is more influential than lemma frequency.
SYSTEMATICITY AND ATTENTION IN INTERLANGUAGE1

It has been argued (Tarone 1979) that the most systematic speech style of interlanguage is the vernacular, which is the speech style in which the learner pays the least attention to speech form. In this paper, the notions of “systematicity” and “attention” are developed in more detail. It is argued that attention is the variable which causes style-shifting along an interlanguage continuum of styles. These styles range from the superordinate style (in which the most attention is paid to language form) to the vernacular style (in which the least attention is paid to language form). It is further argued that the interlanguage vernacular is systematic in that it is describable and predictable by a set of rules, and that the vernacular is the most systematic style in that it is the style which is least permeable to invasion from other rule systems.
Still needed: a climate plan.

In this opinion piece the author advocates the creation of a strategic plan for the development of a market trading the right to emit carbon dioxide. The lack of a coherent plan outlining how carbon dioxide would be regulated by either a cap and trade system or a carbon tax is noted. The author worries that the U.S. will leave the design of these systems to the market, which will not result in effective environmental regulation.
Regulation of adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase in cerebral cortex

Abstract Alterations in the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio in response to putative neurotransmitters and other cyclic AMP-elevating agents in intact cerebral cortical slices and Krebs-Ringer particulate preparations from cerebral cortex were examined. Both norepinephrine (30 μM) and forskolin (20 μM) produced a time-dependent increase in intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in cerebral cortical slices which was paralleled by an increase in both cyclic AMP and the protein kinase activity ratio. The increases were maximal at 5 min. and remained elevated for at least 15 min. Forskolin, norepinephrine, adenosine and isoproterenol produced a concentration-dependent increase in both cyclic AMP and the protein kinase activity ratio, however, the degree of increase observed was dissimilar. Thus, a 5-fold change in intracellular cyclic AMP resulted in only a 2-fold increase in the activity ratio. Of the agents examined, forskolin produced the most marked change in the activity ratio (from 0.23 to 0.78 at 100 μM) while isoproterenol at 100 μM produced only a 50% increase in the activity ratio. The half-time for the decline in forskolin elicited elevations of either the activity ratio or cyclic AMP was about 4–6 min. In the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, Ro 20-1724, both were significantly prolonged being 60–70% of the maximum observed immediately after forskolin stimulation, at 15 min. Potentiation of forskolin elicited increases in the activity ratio by Ro 20-1724 were also observed but the increase in the activity ratio was maximal at 7.5 min. while cyclic AMP accumulations continued to rise during the entire 15 min. incubation. Particulate preparations from cerebral cortex were found to contain a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase which could be activated 2 to 3-fold with either forskolin, norepinephrine, or adenosine. Unlike the intact brain slice the changes in protein kinase activity ratio and intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in cell-free particulate preparations were similar in both time and degree.
Age-related changes in oral sensation.

Oral sensation (including two-point discrimination, oral stereognosis, vibrotactile detection, somesthetic sensitivity, proprioception, and thermal sensitivity) was studied in 60 healthy adults in five age categories: 20 to 34, 35 to 49, 50 to 64, 65 to 79, and 80 years and above. Thermal and somesthetic sensitivity as well as proprioception did not change with age. Ability to differentiate tactile and vibratory sensation on the lip decreased after age 80 (P less than .01), but vibration detection on the soft palate did not change. Stereognostic ability remained good up to age 80, and then declined for four of the nine shapes tested (P less than .01). Two-point discrimination deteriorated on the upper lip (P less than .01), on the cheeks (P less than .02), and on the lower lip (P less than .06). Two-point discrimination on the tongue and palate did not change. It was noted that oral sensation remained good with aging, showing only a slight decline in function after age 80.
Daily co-occurrence of alcohol use and high-risk sexual behavior among heterosexual, heavy drinking emergency department patients

Abstract Background Global association and experimental studies suggest that alcohol use may increase sexual behavior that poses risk for exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STI) among heterosexual men and women. However, results from longitudinal and daily recall studies exploring the co-occurrence of alcohol use with various sexual risk outcomes in more naturalistic contexts have been mixed, and the bulk of this research has focused on college students. Methods The current study enrolled heavy-drinking emergency department (ED) patients and used a cross-sectional, 30-day Timeline Followback (TLFB) method to examine the daily co-occurrence between alcohol use and three sexual behavior outcomes: Any sex, unprotected intercourse (UI), and UI with casual partners (versus protected intercourse [PI] with casual partners, or UI/PI with steady partners). Results Results indicated that increasing levels of alcohol use on a given day increased the odds of engaging in any sexual activity and that heavy drinking (but not very heavy drinking) on a given day was associated with an increased odds of engaging in UI with either steady or casual partners. However, day-level alcohol use was not associated with an increased odds of UI with casual partners. Conclusions These findings suggest that alcohol may play an important role in increasing risk for HIV/STIs among heterosexuals, and support the continued need to target heavy drinking in sex risk reduction interventions. However, our results also suggest that alcohol may not universally result in unprotected sex with casual partners, a behavior posing perhaps the highest risk for HIV/STI transmission.
Mathematical Characterization of the Compressive Stress‐Strain Relationships of Spongy Baked Goods

The compressive stress-strain relationships of selected breads, English muffins and sponge cake were determined with a Universal Testing Machine and described mathematically in terms of a three-parameter empirical model. These parameters gave account of the overall mechanical resistance of the sponge, the existence of a shoulder in its stress-strain curve and the strain level at which densification of the sponge becomes the dominant deformation mechanism. They were also sensitive indicators of the changes that were observed in the stress-strain relationship as a result of successive compression and could be used to distinguish between the deformation patterns of the various products.
Chiral Solidification of a Phospholipid Monolayer

The formation of chiral solidlike domains observed by Weiss and McConnell (1984) in monolayers of depalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) floating on an air-water interface is investigated theoretically. It is proposed that the diffusion tensor for the two-dimensional fluidlike phase of the DPPC molecules has a chiral component acting perpendicular to the concentration gradient and coupled to the rotational motion of a pinwheellike molecule by the viscous forces. Diagrams are provided, and numerical estimates of the forces involved are shown to be in agreement with the observed behavior of the structures.
Sonar array element location: A hybrid expert systems application

Abstract The design of many engineering systems, including sonar systems, has evolved (thanks in part to methods of operational research such as mathematical programming and simulation) from an almost strictly art form into a relatively scientific endeavor. Today we see, more and more, the use of, in particular, mathematical programming methods for the development of ‘optimally’ designed engineering hardware. Unfortunately, such designs are ‘optimal’ only under the unrealistic assumption of an error free model and the ability to develop a corresponding perfect design. That is, they fail to take into regard the often severe impact of the limitations of real world design tolerances. And this failure is becoming increasing more important as we begin to address modern day systems with their substantially increased size, sophistication and sensitivity. In this paper, we discuss the problem, with specific focus on the task of the development of sonar arrays. We present a hybrid methodology, combining expert systems with heuristic programming, that permits the engineer to incorporate the results of the mathematical programming solution while still using real world, imperfect components. And we present results as obtained on actual hardware .
Isolation and properties of RNA from bromegrass mosaic virus

RNA from bromegrass mosaic virus was isolated by treatment of the virus with phenol in the presence of bentonite and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The RNA sedimented as three distinct components in the ultracentrifuge. Their sedimentation coefficients, S20,w0, in 10−1 M -KC1 + 10−2 M -potassium acetate + 10−3 M -MgCl2 + 10−3 M -CaCl2 (pH 5·5), were 14·0 s, 22·3 s and 26·8 s. Essentially no change in the sedimentation coefficients of the three components or in their relative amounts was observed after incubation at 20°C for 48 hours or after solution in and recovery from formamide. The identical three-component sedimentation pattern was found with RNA isolated by treatment of the virus with 1 M -CaCl2. RNA isolated from virus variously grown, harvested, purified and treated showed the same pattern. Addition of partially purified host-plant nuclease to the RNA resulted in comparable degradation of each component rather than conversion of the large component into the two smaller components. It was concluded that the three components of bromegrass mosaic virus RNA were not artifacts of virus or RNA isolation but represented the situation in the virus particles themselves in the infected host. The components were separated by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. Their molecular weights, calculated from the Scheraga-Mandelkern equation, were 3 × 105, 7 × 105 and 1·0 × 106. Base compositions of the three components were similar. It is believed that some bromegrass mosaic virus particles contain the large component whereas others contain the two smaller components. Possibly the two smaller components are pieces of the large component resulting from a single cleavage at some stage in virus synthesis.
Color and the boundary of entoptic space

After viewing either red or green entoptic after-images, Ss made adjustments of the distance of a projection screen so that the apparent size of the then projected after-image equalled that of the entoptic after-image. The effect of varying the chromatic color of the inducing stimulus had no significant effect on these adjustments. The after-image method was compared to Katz’ direct estimation procedure and was considered to be superior.
Random Events and the Act of God

1. In what kind of event does God act? It is odd that there should be such heavy emphasis upon the God who acts in history by the same generation that considers itself to have arrived at scientific maturity. This scholarly age that takes pride in its critical methods has ironically rediscovered God's mighty acts at the foundation of biblical theology. Most theologians, to be sure, have been extremely vague in their discussions of what an act of God looks like.' In a scientific age, their timorousness is understandable. Yet, any theologian who maintains in this age that God acts must be able to tell us both how it is possible and what such an act looks like. On both theological and scientific grounds, the whole attempt seems doomed to failure. If God acts, human beings must be experientially aware of it if the act is to make any difference. But God is transcendent. If he acts, it must be in such a way that it will not be necessary to regard him as an immanent object in the natural world, since objectifying God is, these days, regarded as equivalent to idolatry. And if it were possible to perceive an act of God, the act would have to be apprehended in some way that did not force us to choose between a scientific and a religious understanding of the world. Ordinarily, we can keep the religious and the scientific views insulated from one another, but talk about "acts of God in history" appears to bring the two into direct conflict. Nature seems to have no "openings" through which man could see or God could act.
Note: Optimal pebbling of graphs

Consider a distribution of pebbles on the vertices of a graph G. A pebbling move consists of the removal of two pebbles from a vertex and then placing one pebble at an adjacent vertex. The optimal pebbling number of G, denoted f"o"p"t(G), is the least number of pebbles, such that for some distribution of f"o"p"t(G) pebbles, a pebble can be moved to any vertex of G. We give sharp lower and upper bounds for f"o"p"t(G) for G of diameter d. For graphs of diameter two (respectively, three) we characterize the classes of graphs having f"o"p"t(G) equal to a value between 2 and 4 (respectively, between 3 and 8).
Interactions of the Anti-Psychotic Drug Trifluoperazine with Calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM) is a Ca2+-sensing protein essential to eukaryotic signal transduction pathways. It has two homologous domains (N and C), each binding two Ca2+ ions. The anti-psychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP; Stelazine) is a CaM antagonist known to bind hydrophobic clefts of CaM that are exposed upon Ca2+ binding.Equilibrium Ca2+ titrations monitored by changes in steady-state fluorescence of intrinsic Phe and Tyr residues were used to evaluate the effect of TFP on the Ca2+ affinity of full length CaM (CaM1–148), N-domain (CaM1–80) and C-domain (CaM76–148) over a range of TFP:CaM ratios. Low levels of TFP (1:1, 2:1 ratios) decreased the Ca2+ affinity of CaM. TFP had the greatest effect on Ca2+ binding to sites III and IV, in the C-domain of CaM1–148, but affected both domains. At an 8:1 ratio of TFP:CaM, the effect reversed and the Ca2+ affinity of CaM increased.1H-15N-HSQC NMR showed that resonances assigned to apo and Ca2+-saturated C-domain were the most perturbed during TFP titration, while a smaller subset of N-domain resonances were affected. The stoichiometry of TFP binding to apo-CaM1–148 was determined to be 2:1, and 4:1 for (Ca2+)4-CaM.Crystallographic structures of TFP bound to (Ca2+)4-CaM1–148 indicate two possible orientations of TFP when bound in 1:1 vs 2:1 and 4:1 TFP:CaM ratios. A new structure of a (Ca2+)2-CaM76–148 -TFP complex showed the trifluoromethyl group of TFP in both positions seen previously; distinct conformation of Met 144 correlated with orientation of TFP. NMR of apo-CaM76–148 will be used to determine whether apo CaM-TFP complex adopts the semi-open conformation of apo CaM bound to a myosin peptide.
The structure of densified As2O3 glasses

Abstract In situ high energy X-ray diffraction and Raman experiments have been carried out to probe the structure changes of vitreous As 2 O 3 under pressure. The first sharp diffraction peak reduces in intensity up to 10 GPa, indicating a breakdown of intermediate range order with pressure. All features in the Raman spectra broaden with increasing pressure up to 11.6 GPa. The mode at 378 cm −1 associated with As 4 O 6 molecule-like vibrations increases in intensity up to 6.2 GPa and decreases at higher pressures. In addition, X-ray and neutron structure factors have been measured for normal density and permanently densified As 2 O 3 glasses recovered from 10 and 23 GPa. The results show the local AsO 3 pyramids and 3-membered rings essentially remain intact after compression. The increase in density is mainly associated with an inward shift of the third nearest neighbor peak in the X-ray radial distribution function, which indicates an increased packing of 3-membered AsO 3 rings.
A Place to Be Celebrated and Understood The Impact of Early University Entrance From Parents' Points of View

This study surveyed 181 parents of students enrolled in one of two early entrance programs at the University of Washington: the Early Entrance Program for students who entered before age 15 and the University of Washington Academy for Young Scholars for students who matriculated after Grade 10. The purpose was to understand parents' perspectives on the early entrance experience, including reasons for choosing early entrance, satisfaction with their children's program, perceived advantages and disadvantages of early entrance, and the effect of early entrance on family relationships. Ninety-five parents participated, with the majority reporting great satisfaction with multiple aspects of their and their children's experience. Early Entrance Program parents expressed a slightly higher degree of satisfaction than did Academy parents. This study suggests that early university entrance is an attractive option for parents willing to follow the lead of their talented and ambitious adolescents.Putting the Research...
Alteration of sequence specificity of the type IIS restriction endonuclease BtsI

The Type IIS restriction endonuclease BtsI recognizes and digests at GCAGTG(2/0). It comprises two subunits: BtsIA and BtsIB. The BtsIB subunit contains the recognition domain, one catalytic domain for bottom strand nicking and part of the catalytic domain for the top strand nicking. BtsIA has the rest of the catalytic domain that is responsible for the DNA top strand nicking. BtsIA alone has no activity unless it mixes with BtsIB to reconstitute the BtsI activity. During characterization of the enzyme, we identified a BtsIB mutant R119A found to have a different digestion pattern from the wild type BtsI. After characterization, we found that BtsIB(R119A) is a novel restriction enzyme with a previously unreported recognition sequence CAGTG(2/0), which is named as BtsI-1. Compared with wild type BtsI, BtsI-1 showed different relative activities in NEB restriction enzyme reaction buffers NEB1, NEB2, NEB3 and NEB4 and less star activity. Similar to the wild type BtsIB subunit, the BtsI-1 B subunit alone can act as a bottom nicking enzyme recognizing CAGTG(-/0). This is the first successful case of a specificity change among this restriction endonuclease type.
Combined Analysis of Hereditary Prostate Cancer Linkage to 1q24-25: Results from 772 Hereditary Prostate Cancer Families from the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics

A previous linkage study provided evidence for a prostate cancer–susceptibility locus at 1q24-25. Subsequent reports in additional collections of families have yielded conflicting results. In addition, evidence for locus heterogeneity has been provided by the identification of other putative hereditary prostate cancer loci on Xq27-28, 1q42-43, and 1p36. The present study describes a combined analysis for six markers in the 1q24-25 region in 772 families affected by hereditary prostate cancer and ascertained by the members of the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG) from North America, Australia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Overall, there was some evidence for linkage, with a peak parametric multipoint LOD score assuming heterogeneity (HLOD) of 1.40 ( P =.01) at D1S212. The estimated proportion of families (α) linked to the locus was .06 (1-LOD support interval .01–.12). This evidence was not observed by a nonparametric approach, presumably because of the extensive heterogeneity. Further parametric analysis revealed a significant effect of the presence of male-to-male disease transmission within the families. In the subset of 491 such families, the peak HLOD was 2.56 ( P =.0006) and α = .11 (1-LOD support interval .04–.19), compared with HLODs of 0 in the remaining 281 families. Within the families with male-to-male disease transmission, α increased with the early mean age at diagnosis ( P =.001, α=.29, with 1-LOD support interval .08–.53). These results support the finding of a prostate cancer–susceptibility gene linked to 1q24-25, albeit in a defined subset of prostate cancer families. Although HPC1 accounts for only a small proportion of all families affected by hereditary prostate cancer, it appears to play a more prominent role in the subset of families with several members affected at an early age and with male-to-male disease transmission.
Measurement of bulk longitudinal modulus and correction for edge effects

ABSTRACTThe measurement of the bulk longitudinal modulus, M*, of rubbery polymers is a notoriously difficult task. Measurements aretraditionally done through wave transmission through a fluid environment in methods that provide M* over only very narrowfrequency ranges. An alternative approach, using a resonant test fixture is presented in this paper. A discussion of some physicallimitations is developed. Among them are issues of repeatability and edge effects. A method of data analysis to address edge effectsis also presented. 2.0 INTRODUCTION The complex bulk longitudinal modulus is the extensional modulus relevant to the calculation of acoustic impedance. It is theextensional modulus associated with oscillatory deformation in a longitudinal direction while lateral strain is precluded. This is thestrain/loading configuration that one expects in a large, thin sheet attached on one side to a rigid surface and subjected to planepressure waves on the other side. Representing the extensional stress as
The role of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in the regulation of the uterine circulation in pregnant rats.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor regulates rat uterine circulation in pregnant rats. Study Design: Intact isolated uterine vascular beds from late pregnant rats were perfused in situ with Krebs buffer that contained dextran, indomethacin, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and phenylephrine. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor–induced decreases in perfusion pressure in response to acetylcholine were analyzed. Results: The decrease in perfusion pressure induced by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor was significantly attenuated by 4-aminopyridine and was abolished by a combination of 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor–induced decrease in perfusion pressure was abolished by potassium chloride and attenuated by miconazole, but not linoleyl hydroxamic acid. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor–induced decrease in perfusion pressure persisted after perfusion with solutions that contained 2 inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and a scavenger of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide exerted negative feedback on the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor effects. Conclusion: In the pregnant rat uterine vascular beds, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor release is activated by a delayed rectifier type of voltage-sensitive potassium channel. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor does not seem to be related to nitric oxide or to products of lipoxygenase or cytochrome p450 mono-oxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:638-42.)
Mediating Cultural Bias with Authentic Target‐Language Texts for Beginning Students of Spanish1

The beginning levels of foreign-language instruction present the greatest challenge to teachers who wish to include authentic target-language (TL) materials. Often, when authentic materials are used indiscriminantly, research has shown that beginning students are more likely to miscomprehend, or worse, to form cultural stereotypes that are based on their own world experience. This paper suggests appropriate kinds of texts and ways the teacher can lead students through readings so that they not only build meaning, but also add to their understanding of the target culture. Although examples are in Spanish, the principles apply to any beginning foreign-language course.
FLUORESCENCE, FLUORESCENCE-EXCITATION AND ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF TRANS-1-(2-ANTHRYL)-2-PHENYLETHENE CONFORMERS

Fluorescence spectra of trans-1-(2-anthryl)-2-phenylethene (APE) obtained under varying conditions of excitation wavelength and oxygen concentration in toluene are resolved into two distinct components by application of principal component analysis with self-modeling (PCA-SM). Self-modeling is guided by the constraint that Stem-Volmer quenching plots for the individual conformers be independent of excitation wavelength. The same process applied on a matrix of fluorescence-excitation spectra leads to resolved conformer-specific fluorescence-excitation spectra. Consistency between the fluorescence and the fluorescence-excitation spectrum of each conformer is established. The fluorescence-excitation spectr and literature fluorescence quantum yields are used to resolve the UV absorption spectrum of APE. The pure conformer spectra obtained in this work are compared with those from earlier PCA-SM treatments in which self-modeling procedures were based on the Lawton and Sylvestre nonnegativity constraint and on a maximal spectral dissimilarity constraint.
Neuromuscular response of the immature rat to ACTH/MSH 4–10

The adrenocorticotropin fragment ACTH/MSH 4--10 (0.1 ug/kg IP) effectively modulates the neuromuscular responses of 9 to 15 day old rats. Muscle (extensor digitorum longus) contraction amplitude is increased, fatigue is delayed and muscle half-relaxation time is shortened during 20 min of continuous in situ stimulation of a branch of the deep peroneal nerve (square wave shocks 10 Hz, duration 0.5 msec, strength supermaximal). No effect on contraction time is seen. There is no facilitation or change in any contraction parameter in rats older than two weeks (16 to 40 days) indicating that these older animals, like normal adult rats, are unaffected by the peptide. Immature rats, however, are even more sensitive than hypophysectomized adult rats [29] to the ameliorative action of ACTH/MSH 4-10. This early sensitivity to ACTH/MSH 4--10 corresponds to important developmental changes occurring in nerve and muscle during the most critical period in postnatal development, the first two weeks.
Tellurite glass: a new candidate for fiber devices

Abstract The physical properties of R2O-ZnO-TeO2 glasses have been studied for their feasibility for fiber drawing and rare earth doping. A tellurite glass fiber with less than 1 dB/m loss has been made by the rod-in-tube method. The spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions (Pr3+, Nd3+, Er3+, and Tm3+) in tellurite glass are discussed and compared with silica, fluoride and chalcogenide glasses.
Can We Form Gravitinos by Something Other Than a Higgs Boson in the Electro-Weak Era?

What is the physical nature of gravitinos? As asked before, this question was the template of how to introduce Machian Physics as a way to link gravitinos in the electro weak era and gravitons as of the present. What we wish to do now is to ask how a flaw in the Higgs equation as brought up by Comay shows a branch off from orthodox quantum physics, leading to, with the Machs principle application done earlier a way to embed the beginning of the universe as a semi classical superstructure of which Quantum Mechanics is a subset of. We argue that this will necessitate a review of the Higgs equation of state for reasons stated in the manuscript. We also finally review a proprosal for another form of mass formation mechanism as a replacement for the Higgs mass as introduced by Glinka and Beckwith, 2012, with commentary as to how suitable it may be to get a gravitino mass in fidelity to the Machian proposal introduced by Beckwith previously, to get linkage between electroweak era gravitinos and present day gravitons.
Photoelectrochemical dissolution of N-type silicon

Abstract Dissolution characteristics for the photo-anodization of n-Si with three different doping levels (10 15 –10 19 cm −3 ) are studied. Three regions are observed: porous layer formation, illumination-limited current plateau and electropolishing. The limiting current is determined by the illumination intensity and the effective dissolution valence varies from 2 during porous silicon formation to 4 during electropolishing. Based on the experimental observations, a surface dissolution mechanism during porous silicon formation is proposed in which the hole capture is the rate determining step. The effect of doping level on the tunneling is discussed as tunneling increases with doping levels, and is not observed for low doping level (10 15 cm −3 ). The favorable conditions for porous silicon formation are discussed.
Synthesis, structure and solid-state polymerization of dimethyl(propynoato)thallium☆

Abstract The structure of acetatodimethylthallium 2 has been used as a model in an attempt to predict and ‘engineer’ a phase of dimethyl(propynoato)thallium 3 which would be reactive in the solid state. Upon irradiation with X-rays or 60Co γ-rays, 3 is indeed converted to the corresponding deep-brown polypropynoate. The crystal structure of 3 contains, as expected, an infinite set of short contacts (3.454 A) between acetylene moieties; the presence of such a chain is a requirement for a propynoate material to be sensitive to ionizing radiation. However, the crystal structures of 2 and 3 are quite different owing to subtle changes in CH⋯O hydrogen bonding, Crystals of 3, (CH3)2Rl(O2CC≡CH), belong to the orthorhombic system, space group Pnma, a = 7.316(4), b = 11.268(6), c = 9.033(5) A ; Z = 4 . Full-matrix least-squares refinement of positional and displacement parameters for all nonhydrogen atoms, using 338 data for which |Fo| > 3.92σ(|Fo|), led to R = 0.059 and Rw = 0.068.
Mode I and mode II stress intensity factors for interfacial cracks in bi-material media

Abstract A new numerical method is presented for analysing the mixed-mode interface crack between two dissimilar isotropic materials. The method is formulated on the basis of finite element and the crack closure integral approach in conjunction with fundamental relationships in Fracture mechanics. A simple and efficient solution procedure is developed involving only known auxiliary solution for evaluating the strain energy release rate. The finite element solution converges to accurate solution for small crack extensions. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach.
Chemistry of oxaphosphoranes (review)

The research of recent years on the synthesis of new types of phosphoranes with P-O bonds (oxaphosphoranes) is examined. Particular attention is directed to the problems of the thermodynamic stabilities of oxaphosphoranes and the homolytic reactions of hydrooxaphosphoranes.
Toward a standard clinicopathologic staging approach for differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Physicians attempting disease staging for differentiated thyroid carcinoma have a broad variety of clinicopathologic classification approaches from which to choose. Unfortunately, no consensus has yet emerged as to the optimal method, and considerable differences of opinion still exist. Eight of the most commonly used classifications are described, along with results of recent comparative analyses of multiple schemes. Recommendations are provided to permit standardized approaches to clinicopathologic staging, and future research directions are identified. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:12–15, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Skeletal development in transgenic mice expressing a mutation at Gly574Ser of type II collagen.

Skeletal development of transgenic mice with a type II collagen mutation was analyzed and compared with wild-type littermates. The single base substitution in Col2a1 resulted in a glycine to serine mutation within the helical domain and corresponded to one previously identified in a patient with the lethal human chondrodysplasia, hypochondrogenesis (Horton et al. [1992] Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89:4583-4587). Skeletal staining of embryos from 14.5 through 18.5 days of gestation demonstrated a dwarf phenotype in the transgenic embryos, most notably short limb bones and vertebral column that was first detected at 15.5 days post-coitus. In addition to the reduced length, the extent of ossification was less in the transgenic mice. The architecture of the long bone growth plate was abnormal in the transgenic tissue, in particular there was no discernible proliferative zone. There were few stacks of characteristically flattened cells and the overall length of the growth plate in the mutant embryos was reduced. At the ultrastructural level, there were fewer collagen fibrils present in the transgenic mouse cartilage compared to that of wild-type littermates. Ultrastructural localization of collagen types II, IX and XI revealed a similar pattern between the transgenic and wild-type pups, suggesting that the collagen fibrils present in the matrix of littermates with both phenotypes had a similar composition. Skeletal analysis and cartilage histochemistry indicated that effect of the type II collagen mutation was to reduce the density of the collagen fibrils within the cartilage matrix which was associated with delayed bone formation and resulted in a short-limbed phenotype.
Groups in Mendeley: Owners' descriptions and group outcomes

Using four factors borrowed from traditional social group theories, we examined owners' group descriptions in Mendeley to study the applicability of traditional social group theories for large, loosely-formed online groups. We manually annotated the descriptions for 529 Mendeley groups, and correlated the appearances of the factors with two measures of the groups' outcomes: the changes in the numbers of group members and the changes of the articles shared within the groups between 2011 and 2012. Our results suggest that, in general, all four factors are important in online groups, which indicates the usefulness of traditional group theories in the study of online groups. In addition, although a majority of the factors have helped the growth of group size being higher than average increase, several factors have caused the increase of the shared articles within the groups to be smaller than average increase.
Reverse convection potential saturation during northward IMF under various driving conditions

[1] We report the results of an investigation of the reverse convection potentials in the dayside high-latitude ionosphere during periods of steady northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). While it has been demonstrated that the reverse convection potentials exhibit saturation behavior, an investigation into how the saturated reverse convection cells respond to various driving conditions has not yet been performed. We use the OMNI database from 1998 to 2007 to search for events in solar wind data propagated to the bow shock when the IMF is northward and when various driving parameters are stable for more than 40 min. We then use bin-averaged SuperDARN Doppler radar velocity data to apply a spherical harmonic fit to calculate the average potential pattern for various driving conditions. Results show that the saturated reverse convection potential during northward IMF is substantially lower than during southward IMF (as expected), but the strength of the saturation electric field at a particular location is comparable during northward IMF to what it is during southward IMF. Seasonal dependence and dependence on the Alfvenic Mach number and solar wind β are also investigated. It appears that the reverse convection potential demonstrates the opposite of what is expected for seasonal dependence, and that the Alfvenic Mach number is not the fundamental driver of its saturation.