cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pete Rozelle: A historical review of how the NFL commissioner used public relations

Abstract Few public relations practitioners rise to the level of head of an organization; therefore, this study on former National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle presents a unique opportunity to examine how an organizational leader with PR work experience managed a business operation. Drawing upon unique historical records, this study demonstrated how Rozelle used his public relations background to help make the NFL America's number one sport (in terms of revenue and in fan polling).
A magnetic study of an Fe-chitosan complex and its relevance to other biomolecules.

Structural and magnetic properties of an Fe-chitosan complex is investigated by Mossbauer spectroscopy. From the isomer shift deduced from the Mossbauer spectra measured at various temperatures, it is concluded that the metal ion in the complex is in the high-spin Fe(III) state and is coordinated to at least five N and/or O ligands. The 4.2 K Mossbauer spectrum is magnetic with an internal magnetic field of 441 kG, considerably smaller than the ideal theoretical value for a high-spin Fe(III), suggesting a strong covalency between the metal and its surrounding ligands. The experimental data also indicate that the system undergoes a phase transition at around 100 K as evidenced by the appearance of a quadruple doublet Mossbauer spectrum. An analysis of the temperature dependence of the isomer shift indicates the harmonic coupling between the atoms to a reasonable approximation. From the analysis of the experimental data, a scheme for the Fe-chitosan complex has been proposed.
How Intimate Relationships Are Impacted When Heterosexual Men Crossdress

Abstract Few studies have been conducted to understand the phenomenon of transvestism, or crossdressing, as it is commonly referred. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of crossdressing on a person's dating/love relationships and sexual practices. The study was comprised of a non-random sampling of 21 male heterosexual cross-dressers who reside in Maine and New Hampshire. Most of the men had identified themselves as crossdressers for decades. Almost all of the respondents had an entire femme persona with name, and regularly appeared in public crossdressed. Most of the men were married to women who were tolerant or accepting of their activity. The most negative responses were from wives who had found out about their husband's crossdressing years into their marriage. Feelings of anger, betrayal and fear were typical reactions by these women. The most common concern expressed by the crossdressers' partners was having others find out about their husband's behavior. Implications, as well as th...
A study of malware detection on smart mobile devices

The growing in use of smart mobile devices for everyday applications has stimulated the spread of mobile malware, especially on popular mobile platforms. As a consequence, malware detection becomes ever more critical in sustaining the mobile market and providing a better user experience. In this paper, we review the existing malware and detection schemes. Using real-world malware samples with known signatures, we evaluate four popular commercial anti-virus tools and our data shows that these tools can achieve high detection accuracy. To deal with the new malware with unknown signatures, we study the anomaly based detection using decision tree algorithm. We evaluate the effectiveness of our detection scheme using malware and legitimate software samples. Our data shows that the detection scheme using decision tree can achieve a detection rate up to 90% and a false positive rate as low as 10%.
Biophysical Characterization of α-Synuclein and Rotenone Interaction

Previous studies revealed that pesticides interact with α-synuclein and accelerate the rate of fibrillation. These results are consistent with the prevailing hypothesis that the direct interaction of α-synuclein with pesticides is one of many suspected factors leading to α-synuclein fibrillation and ultimately to Parkinson’s disease. In this study, the biophysical properties and fibrillation kinetics of α-synuclein in the presence of rotenone were investigated and, more specifically, the effects of rotenone on the early-stage misfolded forms of α-synuclein were considered. The thioflavine T (ThT) fluorescence assay studies provide evidence that early-phase misfolded α-synuclein forms are affected by rotenone and that the fibrillation process is accelerated. Further characterization by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) shows that rotenone increases the amount of ordered secondary structure in this intrinsically disordered protein. Morphological characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) provide visualization of the differences in the aggregated α-synuclein species developing during the early kinetics of the fibrillation process in the absence and presence of rotenone. We believe that these data provide useful information for a better understanding of the molecular basis of rotenone-induced misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein.
Synthesis of 2-amino-6-(4-[11C]methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester as a novel potential PET gene reporter probe for HBV and HSV-tk in cancers.

Abstract Acyclic nucleoside 2-amino-6-(4-methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester (ABE, 1 ) is a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific antiviral reagent and shows high anti-HBV activity. Carbon-11 labeled ABE may serve as a novel reporter probe for positron emission tomography (PET) to image HBV and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) in cancers. The radiolabeling precursors 2-amino-6-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester ( 10 ) and 2- N -Boc protected analogue 2- N -bis(Boc)amino-6-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester ( 12 ), and the reference standard ABE were synthesized from bis(trifluoroethyl) (2-iodoethoxy)methylphosphonate ( 5 ), guanine ( 6 ), and 2-amino-6-chloropurine ( 8 ). The target radiotracer 2-amino-6-(4-[ 11 C]methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester ([ 11 C]ABE, [ 11 C] 1 ) was prepared by O -[ 11 C]methylation of the unprotected HO-precursor 10 , or 2- N -Boc protected HO-precursor 12 with [ 11 C]methyl triflate followed by a quick deprotection reaction, and isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification in 40–55% radiochemical yields.
Applications of Terahertz Spectroscopy in Biosystems

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopic investigations of condensed-phase biological samples are reviewed ranging from the simple crystalline forms of amino acids, carbohydrates and polypeptides to the more complex aqueous forms of small proteins, DNA and RNA. Vibrationally resolved studies of crystalline samples have revealed the exquisite sensitivity of THz modes to crystalline order, temperature, conformational form, peptide sequence and local solvate environment and have given unprecedented measures of the binding force constants and anharmonic character of the force fields, properties necessary to improve predictability but not readily obtainable using any other method. These studies have provided benchmark vibrational data on extended periodic structures for direct comparisons with classical (CHARMm) and quantum chemical (density functional theory) theories. For the larger amorphous and/or aqueous phase samples, the THz modes form a continuum-like absorption that arises because of the full accessibility to conformational space and/or the rapid time scale for inter-conversion in these environments. Despite severe absorption by liquid water, detailed investigations have uncovered the photo- and hydration-induced conformational flexibility of proteins, the solvent shell depth of the water/biomolecule boundary layers and the solvent reorientation dynamics occurring in these interfacial layers that occur on sub-picosecond time scales. As such, THz spectroscopy has enhanced and extended the accessibility to intermolecular forces, length- and timescales important in biological structure and activity.
Recursive Nonparametric Estimation for Time Series

This paper considers online kernel estimation for both short- and long-range dependent time series data. Utilizing the predictive dependence measure of Wu, we carefully study the asymptotic properties of recursive kernel density and regression estimators for a general class of stationary processes. In particular, we prove that the proposed estimators have the asymptotic normality and the corresponding central limit theorems are provided. In addition, we establish the sharp laws of the iterated logarithms that precisely characterize the asymptotic almost sure behavior of the proposed estimators.
A framework for pursuit evasion games in R n

We present a framework for solving pursuit evasion games in Rn for the case of N pursuers and a single evader. We give two algorithms that capture the evader in a number of steps linear in the original pursuer-evader distances. We also show how to generalize our results to a convex playing field with finitely many hyperplane boundaries that serve as obstacles.
Multiband CO2 oscillator

Abstract Multiband output from an atmospheric CO2 laser has been achieved with intercavity gaseous absorbers. SF6, NH3, NH2D and butane are suitable for this purpose.
On a theorem of Osborne and Warner. Multiplicities in the cuspidal spectrum

Osborne and Warner have given a formula for the multiplicity of an integrable discrete series representation in L2(GΓ) when G is real rank one semi-simple Lie group and Γ is a discrete subgroup of co-finite volume. We simplify and evaluate this formula to show that for most G (as above) the multiplicity is the formal degree of the representation times the volume of GΓ. When it is not we give a simple interpretation of the difference.
Estimation of preferential pairing rates in second-generation autotetraploid pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Although previously disregarded, polyploidy, and in particular autopolyploidy, is now believed to have played a prominent role in the evolution of plants and animals. We estimated the rate of preferential pairing in second-generation autotetraploid Pacific oysters from gametic frequencies. We found significant levels of preferential pairing in these recently generated autopolyploids, suggesting that genetic variation in standing populations may play a role in meiotic mechanisms of polyploids derived from these populations.
Charge-Density Waves Survive the Pauli Paramagnetic Limit

Measurements of the resistance of single crystals of (Per)2Au(mnt)2 have been made at magnetic fields B of up to 45 T, exceeding the anticipated Pauli paramagnetic limit of Bp approximately 37 T. The continued presence of nonlinear charge-density wave electrodynamics at B> or =37 T establishes the survival of the charge-density wave state above this limit, and the probable emergence of an inhomogeneous phase analogous to that anticipated to occur in superconductors.
Fatigue performance of HFIR-irradiated nimonic PE-16 at 430°C

Abstract Nimonic PE-16 was irradiated in the HFIR to 6 to 9 dpa and 560 to 1000 at. ppm He at 430°C. Postirradiation fatigue tests revealed a reduction in fatigue life by about a factor of 10 at 430°C. In contrast to AISI type 316 stainless steel, no endurance limit was observed. All irradiated specimens exhibited some intergranular fracture with an increasing tendency toward “cleavage-like” intragranular fracture for low strain ranges.
Coulomb corrections to photon and dilepton production in high-energy p A collisions

We consider particle production in high energy pA collisions. In addition to the coherent interactions with the nuclear color field, we take into account coherent interactions with the nuclear electromagnetic Coulomb field. Employing the dipole model, we sum up the leading multiple color and electromagnetic interactions and derive inclusive cross sections for photon and dilepton production. We found that the Coulomb corrections are up to $10\%$ at $\sqrt{s}=200$~GeV per nucleon.
A Review of the Stress-Relaxation Method for Following the Kinetics of Precipitation, Recovery and Recrystallization

Stress-relaxation method was first used by Liu and Jonas in 1980s for following the kinetics of strain induced precipitation of carbonitrides in austenite. Since then, the method has been widely employed for studying not only the precipitation kinetics but also the recovery and recrystallization processes in steels and other alloys. In the present paper, the principle and the worldwide usage of the method were reviewed. The dependence of stress relaxation rate on the occurrence of precipitation, recovery and recrystallization was interpreted based on a dislocation model. The capabilities and the limitations of the method were discussed and ways to overcome the existing limitations were also proposed.
Microwave-assisted functionalization of bromo-fluorescein and bromorhodamine derivatives

The overall goal of this project was to develop methodologies that would allow organometallic couplings of fluorescein and rhodamine derivatives. Consequently, borylation, Suzuki, and Sonogashira reactions of fragments derived from compounds 1 and 2 were investigated. Conventional and microwave heating were compared throughout the study.
Core-Periphery Models, Regional Planning Theory, and Appalachian Development

This paper employs a core-periphery perspective to review regional planning theory and examine the spatial dynamics in Appalachian development which span 25 years of Appalachian Regional Commission programs. Improved conditions, defined by increasing incomes in counties, are examined. The region is conceptualized as comprising two exterior peripheries and an interior periphery. This perspective is valuable in illustrating the region's development and for further planning efforts in Appalachia.
Changes in Consumer Attitudes Resulting from Participation in a Permission E-mail Campaign

Abstract As permission (opt-in) e-mail is used increasingly for marketing products and services, traditional ideas about persuasive communication should be reexamined in light of the interactivity offered by e-mail marketing campaigns. This exploratory study utilized a longitudinal analysis to assess changes in prospects' attitudes as a result of participation in a company's permission e-mail marketing campaign. The sample of college students at two universities experienced statistically significant improvement in their attitude toward the brand and company, in their feelings of trust, and in their intention to purchase after receiving only three e-mail communications. Implications are drawn for development of permission marketing communications that build trust and ongoing relationships with customers.
Ease of DNA unwinding is a conserved property of yeast replication origins

Autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) elements function as plasmid replication origins. Our studies of the H4 ARS and ARS307 have established the requirement for a DNA unwinding element (DUE), a broad easily-unwound sequence 3' to the essential consensus that likely facilitates opening of the origin. In this report, we examine the intrinsic ease of unwinding a variety of ARS elements using (1) a single-strand-specific nuclease to probe for DNA unwinding in a negatively-supercoiled plasmid, and (2) a computer program that calculates DNA helical stability from the nucleotide sequence. ARS elements that are associated with replication origins on chromosome III are nuclease hypersensitive, and the helical stability minima correctly predict the location and hierarchy of the hypersensitive sites. All well-studied ARS elements in which the essential consensus sequence has been identified by mutational analysis contain a 100-bp region of low helical stability immediately 3' to the consensus, as do ARS elements created by mutation within the prokaryotic M13 vector. The level of helical stability is, in all cases, below that of ARS307 derivatives inactivated by mutations in the DUE. Our findings indicate that the ease of DNA unwinding at the broad region directly 3' to the ARS consensus is a conserved property of yeast replication origins.
Set-valued Lyapunov functions for difference inclusions

The paper relates set-valued Lyapunov functions to pointwise asymptotic stability in systems described by a difference inclusion. Pointwise asymptotic stability of a set is a property which requires that each point of the set be Lyapunov stable and that every solution to the inclusion, from a neighborhood of the set, be convergent and have the limit in the set. Weak set-valued Lyapunov functions are shown, via an argument resembling an invariance principle, to imply this property. Strict set-valued Lyapunov functions are shown, in the spirit of converse Lyapunov results, to always exist for closed sets that are pointwise asymptotically stable.
Kinetic modeling of formic acid pulping of bagasse.

Organic solvent or organosolv pulping processes are alternatives to soda or kraft pulping to delignify lignocellulosic materials for the production of paper pulp. Formic acid, a typical organosolv system, has been presently examined under atmospheric pressure to pulp bagasse fibers. It was shown that efficient bagasse pulping was achieved when the formic acid concentration was limited to 90% (v/v). A statistical kinetic model based on the experimental results for the delignification of bagasse during formic acid pulping was developed that can be described as follows: D (delignification) ) 0.747 × Cformicacid 1.688 × (1 - e -0.05171t ), an equation that can be used to predict the lignin content in formic acid during the pulping process. The delignification of bagasse by 90% formic acid was almost completed after approximately 80 min, while extended pulping did not improve the delignification but tended to degrade the carbohydrates in bagasse, especially the hemicelluloses, which were rapidly hydrolyzed at the onset of pulping.
Localization of Wheat Germ Agglutinin—Like Lectins in Various Species of the Gramineae

Antigenically similar chitin-binding lectins are present in the embryos of wheat, barley, and rye, members of the Triticeae tribe of the grass family (Gramineae). However, the lectins display different localization patterns in these embryos. Lectin is absent from the coleoptile of barley but is present in the outer surface cells of this organ in wheat and in both inner and outer surface cells of rye coleoptiles. All three cereals contain lectin at the periphery of embryonic roots. Similar lectins were not detected in oats and pearl millet, members of other tribes of the Gramineae. Rice, a species only distantty related to wheat, contains a lectin that is antigenically similar to the other cereal lectins and located at the periphery of embryonic roots and throughut the coleoptile.
Unsuccessful retrieval attempts enhance subsequent learning.

Taking tests enhances learning. But what happens when one cannot answer a test question—does an unsuccessful retrieval attempt impede future learning or enhance it? The authors examined this question using materials that ensured that retrieval attempts would be unsuccessful. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were asked fictional general-knowledge questions (e.g., “What peace treaty ended the Calumet War?”). In Experiments 3–6, participants were shown a cue word (e.g., whale) and were asked to guess a weak associate (e.g., mammal); the rare trials on which participants guessed the correct response were excluded from the analyses. In the test condition, participants attempted to answer the question before being shown the answer; in the read-only condition, the question and answer were presented together. Unsuccessful retrieval attempts enhanced learning with both types of materials. These results demonstrate that retrieval attempts enhance future learning; they also suggest that taking challenging tests—instead of avoiding errors—may be one key to effective learning.
SGA subtypes and mortality risk among singleton births.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether early mortality (first year of life) risks among small for gestational age (SGA) neonates were similar regardless of SGA subtype based on three chronological classifications (term, preterm and post-term). Study design Retrospective cohort study on all singleton live births in the United States from 1995 to 1999 inclusive. Adjusted risk estimates were computed from logistic regression models using non-SGA infants as the referent. Results When SGA infants were compared as a homogeneous entity to non-SGA infants, the risks for infant, neonatal and post-neonatal mortality were significantly greater in SGA infants [AOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 3.0, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 2.9–3.0 for infant mortality; AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 3.1–3.2 for neonatal mortality; and AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.6–2.7 for post-neonatal mortality]. However, heterogeneity existed in terms of mortality risk thresholds across SGA babies. The most remarkable risk magnitude was observed among preterm SGA infants [infant mortality AOR = 13.8, 95% CI = 13.6–14.1; neonatal death AOR = 17.4, 95% CI = 17.0–17.7; and post-neonatal death AOR = 7.4, 95% CI = 7.1–7.6]. The adjusted odds ratio for term and post-term SGA infants were comparable regardless of the period during infancy, and were much less than those observed for preterm SGA infants. Conclusions SGA is a heterogeneous disease in terms of prognosis for survival. Preterm SGA infants bear an extremely high risk for mortality during infancy, and counseling of affected parents should reflect this risk divergence.
IEEE WLANS: 802.11, 802.11e MAC AND 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g PHY cross layer link budget model for cell coverage estimation

We develop an analytical medium access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) cross-layer model to calculate the link budget and to estimate the cell coverage of IEEE distributed coordination function (DCF) 802.11 and enhanced distributed coordination function (EDCF) 802.11e wireless local area networks (WLANs). A comparison between numerical and simulation results is carried out assuming the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g PHY layers.
Cognitive decline associated with normal aging in rats: a neuropsychological approach

The effects of aging on cognitive capacities were examined by comparing the performance of young and old rats on tasks characterized as dependent on different brain systems. This neuropsychological approach was employed to determine the extent to which multiple neural systems are compromised in aging and whether deterioration of one system correlates with that of another. The two tasks used in the present study were an odor-guided recognition memory task, for which different aspects of performance have been shown to be dependent on the integrity of the orbital prefrontal and perirhinal-entorhinal cortex, and the Morris water maze, for which performance depends on the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Rats were trained on the recognition memory task under minimal memory load and then challenged with longer memory delays and higher levels of inter-item interference. Considerable variation was observed in the performance of aged rats on acquisition of the recognition memory task, and unlike young rats, some aged rats could not acquire the task. Nevertheless, those aged rats who did acquire the cDNM task performed as well as young animals when the memory delay was extended and interference was elevated. In addition, consistent with previous findings, the performance of the same aged rats was highly variable in the Morris water maze task. Furthermore, although correlations between scores on the two tasks for individual aged rats were not reliable, only those aged rats that performed outside the performance range of young rats in the water maze were impaired on acquisition of the recognition memory task. This pattern of findings is consistent with age-related dysfunction in multiple subdivisions of the prefrontal cortex as well as the hippocampus and suggests that these brain regions may deteriorate in the same subgroup of aged rats.
Enhancing Proof Writing via Cross-Institutional Peer Review

AbstractIn the Spring of 2011, two of the authors of this paper taught number theory courses at their respective institutions. Twice during the semester, students in each class submitted proofs of two to three theorems to be peer reviewed by students in the other class. Each student wrote anonymous and formal referee reports of the submitted theorems, which were then returned to the original student author. In this paper we detail the peer review process, discuss a survey that gauged student perception of peer review, and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of this pedagogical method.
Distribution of Immunoglobulins in Human Rectal Mucosa: II. Ulcerative colitis and abnormal mucosal control subjects

Summary This study endeavored to identify and quantitate the major classes of immunoglobulins in rectal mucosal biopsies from 9 adults with quiescent or mildly active ulcerative colitis and 7 abnormal mucosal control subjects. Serial cryostat-cut tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, methyl green-pyronin, and fluorescein-conjugated monospecific antisera to human serum immunoglobulins. As in normal and abnormal control subjects, IgA was demonstrated within the apical portion of the cytoplasm of rectal mucosal epithelial cells in all ulcerative colitis tissues. Although IgA cells predominated over IgM-, IgG-, and IgD-containing cells, the population density of IgA cells in the lamina propria of the rectal mucosa in ulcerative colitis was lower than in normal rectal tissues. Unlike control subjects, in ulcerative colitis IgA commonly was present in extracellular interstitial mucosal sites and IgA-containing cells were distributed irregularly and some fields showed very few IgA cells. The mean number of IgG cells per unit area of mucosal interstitium also was reduced in ulcerative colitis rectal tissues. The ulcerative colitis patients and the two control groups showed no staining differences for IgM and IgD.
Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Requiring Hospitalization at an Academic Medical Center: Opportunities for Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background Although complicated skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are among the most common infections requiring hospitalization, their clinical spectrum, management, and outcomes have not been well described. Methods We report a cohort of consecutive adult patients hospitalized for SSTI from 1 January through 31 December 2007 at an academic medical center. Cases meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed and classified as cellulitis, cutaneous abscess, or SSTI with additional complicating factors. Results In total, 322 patients were included; 66 (20%) had cellulitis, 103 (32%) had cutaneous abscess, and 153 (48%) had SSTI with additional complicating factors. Injection drug use, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol abuse were common comorbidities. Serum inflammatory markers were routinely measured and blood cultures and imaging studies were routinely performed in each group. Of 150 patients with a positive culture result for an abscess, deep tissue, or blood, Staphylococcus aureus or streptococci were identified in 145 (97%). Use of antibiotics with broad aerobic gram-negative activity (61%-80% of patients) or anaerobic activity (73%-83% of patients) was frequent in each group. The median duration of therapy for cellulitis, cutaneous abscess, and SSTI with additional complicating factors was 13 (interquartile range [IQR], 10-14), 13 (IQR, 10-16), and 14 (IQR, 11-17) days, respectively. Treatment failure, recurrence, or rehospitalization due to SSTI within 30 days occurred in 12.1%, 4.9%, and 9.2% of patients, respectively. Conclusions Hospitalizations for SSTI were common; more than half were due to cellulitis or cutaneous abscess. Frequent use of potentially unnecessary diagnostic studies, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and prolonged treatment courses in these patients suggest targets for antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Education sector analysis in Africa: limited national control and even less national ownership

Abstract Numerous and voluminous, the Africa education sector studies undertaken during the early 1990s turn out to be strikingly similar. With few exceptions, they have a common framework, approach, and methodology. African education is in crisis, they report. Governments cannot cope. Quality has deteriorated. Funds are misallocated. Management is poor and administration inefficient. Notwithstanding the diversity of the countries studied, the recommendations too are similar. Education sector analysis is potentially a very powerful tool for supporting and improving education policy and programmes in Africa. Generally undertaken within the context of the aid relationship, it is also an important vehicle for international partnership and development cooperation. To date, however, that cooperation has been accompanied by general frustration with the sector analysis process. Far too often, that process has remained driven by the agendas and procedures of the funding and technical assistance agencies, with constrained national participation, limited national control, and very little sense of national ownership. To shift its center of gravity toward Africa, the process itself requires major restructuring and reorientation, from conception through completion. Most important, what is required is genuine dialogue among partners who not only talk but also listen and hear.
Antimüllerian hormone levels are independently related to ovarian hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries

Objective To determine the relationship of antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels to polycystic ovaries and ovarian androgenic function. Design Prospective case-control study. Setting General clinical research center. Participant(s) Eumenorrheic asymptomatic volunteers without (V-NO; n=19; reference population) or with (V-PCO; n=28) a polycystic ovary and hyperandrogenemic anovulatory subjects grouped according to ovarian function into typical PCOS (PCOS-T; n=37) and atypical PCOS (PCOS-A; n=18). Intervention(s) Pelvic ultrasonography, short dexamethasone androgen-suppression test (SDAST), and GnRH agonist (GnRHag) test. Main Outcome Measure(s) Baseline AMH levels were related to polycystic ovary status, testosterone response to SDAST, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to GnRHag test. Result(s) AMH levels correlated with SDAST and GnRHag test outcomes. AMH was elevated (>6.2 ng/mL) in 32% of V-PCO versus 5% V-NO. The 21% of V-PCO who met Rotterdam PCOS criteria all had functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, but AMH levels were similar to nonhyperandrogenic V-PCO. AMH >10.7 ng/mL discriminated V-PCO from PCOS with 96% specificity and 41% sensitivity for PCOS-T, and insignificantly for PCOS-A. Conclusion(s) AMH levels are independently related to ovarian androgenic function and polycystic ovaries. Very high AMH levels are specific but insensitive for PCOS. In the absence of hyperandrogenism, moderate AMH elevation in women with normal-variant polycystic ovaries seems to indicate an enlarged oocyte pool.
Genome-wide detection and analysis of homologous recombination among sequenced strains of Escherichia coli

Background: Comparisons of complete bacterial genomes reveal evidence of lateral transfer of DNA across otherwise clonally diverging lineages. Some lateral transfer events result in acquisition of novel genomic segments and are easily detected through genome comparison. Other more subtle lateral transfers involve homologous recombination events that result in substitution of alleles within conserved genomic regions. This type of event is observed infrequently among distantly related organisms. It is reported to be more common within species, but the frequency has been difficult to quantify since the sequences under comparison tend to have relatively few polymorphic sites. Results: Here we report a genome-wide assessment of homologous recombination among a collection of six complete Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri genome sequences. We construct a whole-genome multiple alignment and identify clusters of polymorphic sites that exhibit atypical patterns of nucleotide substitution using a random walk-based method. The analysis reveals one large segment (approximately 100 kb) and 186 smaller clusters of single base pair differences that suggest lateral exchange between lineages. These clusters include portions of 10% of the 3,100 genes conserved in six genomes. Statistical analysis of the functional roles of these genes reveals that several classes of genes are over-represented, including those involved in recombination, transport and motility. Conclusion: We demonstrate that intraspecific recombination in E. coli is much more common than previously appreciated and may show a bias for certain types of genes. The described method provides high-specificity, conservative inference of past recombination events.
A real-time high-fidelity driving simulator system based on PC clusters

There are many challenges to create a real-time high-fidelity driving simulator based on PC clusters with multi-channeled projector support, while still maintaining at least 30 frame rates for complex scenes. This paper describes how such a system was conceived and implemented to support behavioral research on highway safety and operations. The real highway safety research study is used to compare the driver behavior derived from real-world roadway data with data collected in a simulated environment to valid the simulator. The hardware and software architectures are discussed in detail, respectively. Such architectures have been constructed to support upgradeability, scalability, extendibility, and flexibility. The experimental results of the real study are shown in daytime and nighttime, respectively. The conclusions and future work are described in the end.
The Mode of Action of the Bacillus thuringiensis Vegetative Insecticidal Protein Vip3A Differs from That of Cry1Ab δ-Endotoxin

The Vip3A protein, secreted by Bacillus spp. during the vegetative stage of growth, represents a new family of insecticidal proteins. In our investigation of the mode of action of Vip3A, the 88-kDa Vip3A full-length toxin (Vip3A-F) was proteolytically activated to an approximately 62-kDa core toxin either by trypsin (Vip3A-T) or lepidopteran gut juice extracts (Vip3A-G). Biotinylated Vip3A-G demonstrated competitive binding to lepidopteran midgut brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Furthermore, in ligand blotting experiments with BBMV from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), activated Cry1Ab bound to 120-kDa aminopeptidase N (APN)-like and 250-kDa cadherin-like molecules, whereas Vip3A-G bound to 80-kDa and 100-kDa molecules which are distinct from the known Cry1Ab receptors. In addition, separate blotting experiments with Vip3A-G did not show binding to isolated Cry1A receptors, such as M. sexta APN protein, or a cadherin Cry1Ab ecto-binding domain. In voltage clamping assays with dissected midgut from the susceptible insect, M. sexta, Vip3A-G clearly formed pores, whereas Vip3A-F was incapable of pore formation. In the same assay, Vip3A-G was incapable of forming pores with larvae of the nonsusceptible insect, monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus). In planar lipid bilayers, both Vip3A-G and Vip3A-T formed stable ion channels in the absence of any receptors, supporting pore formation as an inherent property of Vip3A. Both Cry1Ab and Vip3A channels were voltage independent and highly cation selective; however, they differed considerably in their principal conductance state and cation specificity. The mode of action of Vip3A supports its use as a novel insecticidal agent.
Spiral CT volumetry of below-knee residua

Spiral CT volumetric imaging, processing, and analysis of lower extremity residua were developed and tested using cylindrical phantom test objects and a cadaver lower extremity. Spiral CT scan examination was performed to generate image volumes that were segmented to estimate volumes of interest. These volumes were compared to physical volume measurements obtained by hydrostatic weighing. Hydrostatic weighing and spiral CT volume determinations were compared to calculated volumes based on measured dimensions of two cylindrical phantoms. Threshold-based segmentation of below-knee residua scanned with spiral CT in air was shown accurate to within 3% compared to hydrostatic and analytically derived volumes of phantom test objects. Volume of interest segmentation methods of spiral CT image data had a standard error of 0.15% for a cadaver leg. The feasibility and validity of spiral CT scanning and segmentation for volumetric studies of lower limb residua were demonstrated. >
Generating protein sequence tags by combining cone and conventional collision induced dissociation in a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

The goal of proteomics research is to be able to identify and quantify the vast numbers of proteins within an organism or tissue. “Top-down” methods address this goal without the need for proteolytic digestion prior to mass analysis. We report here an approach for top-down protein identification that has been implemented on a commercially available, unmodified Qq-TOF mass spectrometer. Intact protein molecular ions first undergo cone fragmentation in the electrospray inlet. Conventional MS/MS is then performed on a mass selected cone fragment using CID in the Qq interface of the Qq-TOF mass spectrometer to generate a sequence tag through a pseudo-MS3 experiment. Seven proteins varying in molecular weight between 11 and 66 kDa were chosen to demonstrate applicability of method. After the molecular weight of the intact protein was determined, the cone voltage was varied to induce fragmentation. Cone fragment ions were then further dissociated using conventional CID, and the resulting MS/MS spectra were processed and analyzed for sequence tags. Sequence tags were easily identified from a MS/MS spectrum of a cone induced fragment ion both manually and through a de novo sequencing program included in the software associated with the mass spectrometer. Sequence tags were subjected to database searching using the PeptideSearch program of EMBL, and all protein sequence tags gave unambiguous search results. In all cases, sequence tags were found to originate from the n- and/or c-termini of the proteins.
Limited functional conservation of a global regulator among related bacterial genera: Lrp in Escherichia, Proteus and Vibrio

Bacterial genome sequences are being determined rapidly, but few species are physiologically well characterized. Predicting regulation from genome sequences usually involves extrapolation from better-studied bacteria, using the hypothesis that a conserved regulator, conserved target gene, and predicted regulator-binding site in the target promoter imply conserved regulation between the two species. However many compared organisms are ecologically and physiologically diverse, and the limits of extrapolation have not been well tested. In E. coli K-12 the leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) affects expression of ~400 genes. Proteus mirabilis and Vibrio cholerae have highly-conserved lrp orthologs (98% and 92% identity to E. coli lrp). The functional equivalence of Lrp from these related species was assessed.
Periodic Selection and Ecological Diversity in Bacteria

Biodiversity in the bacterial world is strongly influenced by “periodic selection,” in which natural selection recurrently purges diversity within a bacterial population. Owing to the extreme rarity of recombination in bacteria, selection favoring an adaptive mutation eliminates nearly all the diversity within an ecotype (defined as the set of strains using about the same ecological niche, so that an adaptive mutant or recombinant out-competes to extinction strains from the same ecotype). Diversity within an ecotype is only transient, awaiting its demise with the next periodic selection event. Ecological diversity in bacteria is governed by three kinds of mutations (or recombination events). Niche-invasion mutations found a new ecotype, such that the new genotype and its descendants escape the diversity-purging effect of periodic selection from their former ecotype. Periodic selection mutations then make the different ecotypes more distinct by purging the diversity within but not between ecotypes. Lastly, speciation-quashing mutations may occur, which can extinguish another ecotype even after it has had several private, periodic selection events. For example, an ecotype that shares all its resources with another ecotype, albeit in different proportions, may be extinguished by an extraordinarily fit adaptive mutation from the other ecotype.
Targeting and Localization for Mars Rover Operations

In this work we discuss how the quality of localization knowledge impacts the remote operation of rovers on the surface of Mars. We look at the techniques of localization estimation used in the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover missions. We discuss the virtues and shortcomings of existing approaches and new improvements in the latest operations tools used to support the Mars Exploration Rover missions and rover technology development tasks at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We conclude with future directions we plan to explore in improving the localization knowledge available for operations and more effective targeting of rovers and their instrument payloads.
Social Negativity and Health: Conceptual and Measurement Issues

The goal of this review paper is to identify conceptual and measurement issues in the study of social negativity and health in order to foster development of research on this important topic. We begin by discussing how the negative side of social ties has been conceptualized and by identifying features of the underlying construct. Next, we review selected evidence on the effects of social negativity on physiology, self-reported health, morbidity, and mortality. We end by highlighting unresolved questions and presenting recommendations for how the field should move forward. Over the past 30 years, there has been tremendous interest in the link between social ties and physical health, and the consensus emerging from several lines of evidence is that the structure and quality of social relations predicts morbidity and mortality (for reviews, see Cohen, 2004; House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988; Uchino, 2004). Large prospective studies demonstrate that individuals who are more socially integrated have lower mortality rates over time, controlling for baseline health status (for review, see Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010). Studies like these have established a link between structural aspects of relationships and health, but there is also evidence that the quality of social relationships predicts health outcomes. Individuals who report more positive social functioning, as evidenced by higher perceptions of available social support and higher ratings of marital satisfaction, show better physical health outcomes (for reviews, see Robles & Kiecolt-Glaser, 2003; Uchino, 2009). These findings have led to the widespread recognition that social support promotes health and well-being, and imply that the mere presence of social ties confers absolute benefit for mental and physical health. However, as has been long noted in the literature, others can be a source of conflict, insensitivity, and interference, which we refer to collectively as social negativity. Researchers have highlighted the need to attend to this more negative side of social ties together with the positive side in order to gain a more complete picture of how social ties influence well-being (Rook, 1984). The goal of this paper is to review and identify current conceptual and measurement issues in the study of social negativity that are of particular relevance for researchers studying the effects of social relationships on physiological and health outcomes. We begin by discussing how the negative side of social ties has been conceptualized and by identifying themes in this work. Next, we review selected evidence on the effects of social negativity on physical health outcomes. We end by highlighting unresolved questions in this area and we present recommendations for how the field can move forward.
Pregnancy Intendedness and the Use of Periconceptional Folic Acid

Objective. Periconceptional use of folic acid can prevent birth defects, including at least 50% of neural tube defects. This study used an ongoing surveillance system to explore the association between pregnancy intendedness and women taking periconceptional folic acid. Methods. Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) surveys a stratified random sample of women after a live birth. In 1998–1999, 1867 women completed the survey (64.0% response rate); responses were weighted for nonresponse. Women were asked whether they took folic acid most days in the month before becoming pregnant. Results. Overall, 33.2% of women took folic acid most days in the month before becoming pregnant, and 39.9% said that their pregnancy was unintended. Adolescent mothers were less likely to take periconceptional folic acid (9.2%) and more likely to report unintended pregnancy (62.0%) than older women. Overall, women who said that their pregnancy was intended were more likely to report that they had taken periconceptional folic acid (odds ratio: 4.75; 95% confidence interval: 3.16–7.14); after controlling for maternal age and income the odds ratio was 3.70 (95% confidence interval: 2.38–5.56). Conclusions. Women whose pregnancies were intended were more likely to have been taking periconceptional folic acid than women whose pregnancies were unintended. The importance of fertile women’s taking daily multivitamins that contain 400 μg (0.4 mg) of folic acid should be stressed among women who are not contemplating pregnancy, especially adolescents and low-income women.
Building multifunctionality into a complex containing master regulators of hematopoiesis

Developmental control mechanisms often use multimeric complexes containing transcription factors, coregulators, and additional non-DNA binding components. It is challenging to ascertain how such components contribute to complex function at endogenous loci. We analyzed the function of components of a complex containing master regulators of hematopoiesis (GATA-1 and Scl/TAL1) and the non-DNA binding components ETO2, the LIM domain protein LMO2, and the chromatin looping factor LDB1. Surprisingly, we discovered that ETO2 and LMO2 regulate distinct target-gene ensembles in erythroid cells. ETO2 commonly repressed GATA-1 function via suppressing histone H3 acetylation, although it also regulated methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 at select loci. Prior studies defined multiple modes by which GATA-1 regulates target genes with or without the coregulator Friend of GATA-1 (FOG-1). LMO2 selectively repressed genes that GATA-1 represses in a FOG-1–independent manner. As LMO2 controls hematopoiesis, its dysregulation is leukemogenic, and its influence on GATA factor function is unknown, this mechanistic link has important biological and pathophysiological implications. The demonstration that ETO2 and LMO2 exert qualitatively distinct functions at endogenous loci illustrates how components of complexes containing master developmental regulators can impart the capacity to regulate unique cohorts of target genes, thereby diversifying complex function.