cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: Report of a case

Background Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is the most common benign neoplasm of the nasopharynx. Almost always unilateral on diagnosis, JNAs are locally invasive and may extend across the midline, giving a false bilateral appearance; as such, true bilateral JNA is exceedingly rare. We present a recent case of true bilateral JNA. Methods Single case report of a patient with bilateral JNA, including clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. Results The patient presented with unilateral nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral, noncontiguous masses. Angiography revealed independent vascular supplies from each respective side with no bilateral supply noted. The patient underwent preoperative embolization followed by endoscopic surgical removal of the larger mass; no complications were noted. Follow-up at 2 years demonstrated no recurrence or growth. Conclusion The vast majority of JNAs are unilateral, though invasive growth to the contralateral side may appear “bilateral” in presentation. Proper identification of true bilateral JNA is helpful in guiding management, wherein excision of both tumors may not be necessary.
Unravelling the extracellular matrix.

The extracellular matrix protein fibronectin forms fibrils when in association with cells that exert tension. Cells apply enough force to stretch fibrils in vivo. Stretching of individual fibronectin molecules may reveal conformation-dependent intermolecular binding sites, contributing to the assembly of the molecules into fibrils.
Design of a Colpitts oscillator using microstrip line inductor compensated for low Q

In this paper, a modified differential bipolar Colpitts Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) is presented The VCO has a simulated tuning range of 25.45% centered at 44 GHz. The on-chip inductor is implemented with microstrip lines, which have an inductance of 590 pH at 44 GHz and a Q of 1.4. To compensate for the low Q of the inductor, the Colpitts VCO is modified to include a negative resistor (-Gm). The VCO operates under a 3.3 v supply. The power dissipation is 66 mW at 44 GHz. The VCO is implemented in a 120 GHz f/sub T/ SiGe BiCMOS process.
Maternal and Infant Temperament Characteristics as Contributors to Parenting Stress in the First Year Postpartum

Although prominent models emphasize that maternal, child, and situational variables are associated with parenting stress, previous research has often neglected to examine associations between maternal and infant temperament characteristics and stress experienced in the parenting role. Additionally, while predictors of global parenting stress have been examined, predictors of stress related to specific aspects of the parenting role have been largely unexplored. The present study examined maternal and infant temperament characteristics as predictors of parenting stress, both globally and specifically. Mothers (n = 159) completed measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms and a measure of adult temperament when their infants were 4 months old. At 6 months postpartum, caregivers completed a measure of infant temperament, and at 8 months postpartum, a measure of parenting stress. Results indicated that maternal effortful control and infant negative emotionality predicted global maternal parenting stress. Additionally, all maternal and infant temperament variables, with the exception of maternal negative affectivity and infant surgency/extraversion, were uniquely predictive of at least one specific aspect of parenting-related stress. Findings emphasize the importance of considering maternal and infant temperament characteristics as contributors to parenting stress in the first year postpartum. Implications of these findings for future research and intervention are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internet Telephony: Costs, Pricing, and Policy

Abstract This article analyzes Internet Service Provider costs and regulatory and policy issues raised by Internet telephony. Transport and non-technical items such as customer service, sales and marketing, represent a substantial portion of an ISP’s costs with Internet telephony. Pricing models and yield management techniques supporting Internet voice services might be employed for other Internet differentiated services as well. An integrated regulatory framework will be required, because of convergence, to formulate policies for multimedia services. We conclude that governments should develop appropriate policies without introducing economic and technical distortions into the nascent Internet telephony market.
Alpha coincidence spectroscopy studied with GEANT4

The high-energy side of peaks in alpha spectra, e.g. 241Am, as measured with a silicon detector has structure caused mainly by alpha-conversion electron and to some extent alpha-gamma coincidences. We compare GEANT4 simulation results to 241Am alpha spectroscopy measurements with a passivated implanted planar silicon detector. A discrepancy between the measurements and simulations suggest that the GEANT4 photon evaporation database for 237Np (daughter of 241Am decay) does not accurately describe the conversion electron spectrum and therefore was found to have discrepancies with experimental measurements. We describe how to improve the agreement between GEANT4 and alpha spectroscopy for actinides of interest by including experimental measurements of conversion electron spectroscopy into the photon evaporation database.
Development of colorimetric solid Phase Extraction (C-SPE) for in-flight Monitoring of spacecraft Water Supplies

Although having recently been extremely successful gathering data on the surface of Mars, robotic missions are not an effective substitute for the insight and knowledge about our solar system that can be gained though first-hand exploration. Earlier this year, President Bush presented a ''new course'' for the U.S. space program that shifts NASA's focus to the development of new manned space vehicles to the return of humans to the moon. Re-establishing the human presence on the moon will eventually lead to humans permanently living and working in space and also serve as a possible launch point for missions into deeper space. There are several obstacles to the realization of these goals, most notably the lack of life support and environmental regeneration and monitoring hardware capable of functioning on long duration spaceflight. In the case of the latter, past experience on the International Space Station (ISS), Mir, and the Space Shuttle has strongly underscored the need to develop broad spectrum in-flight chemical sensors that: (1) meet current environmental monitoring requirements on ISS as well as projected requirements for future missions, and (2) enable the in-situ acquisition and analysis of analytical data in order to further define on-orbit monitoring requirements. Additionally, systems must be designed to account for factors unique to on-orbit deployment such as crew time availability, payload restrictions, material consumption, and effective operation in microgravity. This dissertation focuses on the development, ground testing, and microgravity flight demonstration of Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (C-SPE) as a candidate technology to meet the near- and long-term water quality monitoring needs of NASA. The introduction will elaborate further on the operational and design requirements for on-orbit water quality monitoring systems by discussing some of the characteristics of an ''ideal'' system. A description of C-SPE and how the individual components of the platform are combined to satisfy many of these requirements is then presented, along with a literature review on the applications of C-SPE and similar sorption-spectrophotometric techniques. Finally, a brief overview of diffuse reflection spectroscopy and the Kubelka-Munk function, which are used to quantify analytes via C-SPE, is presented.
Elementary Physics in the Cellular Automaton Universe

General relativity is a mathematical model that uses sophisticated geometry to describe simple physics. It agrees with experiment in the few tests that can be made, but the whole edifice is not physics. Instead of using observations to test that model, I derive a simple empirical model of elementary physics and cosmology from the observations. The observations imply that the universe is a finite cellular automaton; that there is no curved space; that fundamental particles are massless; that "massy" particles, including electrons, are composed of fundamental particles; that gravitational mass is inertial mass; that black holes are made from neutrons compressed into bosons; that the universe was produced from cold compressed particles, not radiation; and that the universe is not expanding.
Isolation of Single‐Stranded DNA

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is often used for DNA sequencing as well as microarray and hybridization technologies. Asymmetric PCR or exonuclease digestion followed by urea gel separation and isolation on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads are commonly used for this purpose. These two methods may not yield large amounts of highly purified ssDNA. This protocol for ssDNA isolation from PCR-amplified DNA involves biotin labeling of one strand and subsequent strand separation utilizing streptavidin-coated magnetic beads.
The metabolism of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II): Distribution, clearance, and toxicity

The distribution and toxicity of 195mPt-labeled cis-platinum were studied in two groups of dogs. Serum and tissue levels, renal and marrow toxicities, and urinary excretion were compared in dogs given cis-platinum, 3 mg/kg, intravenously with a group treated by intraperitoneal administration. Peak serum levels occurred immediately after intravenous administration and 8 hours after intraperitoneal instillation, at which time the two were identical and declined at similar rates. Mean levels of cis-platinum measured in peritoneal tissues on day 4 were higher in the intraperitoneal group. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and white blood cell and platelet counts were similar in both groups. Bloody ascites and adhesion formation occurred in 37.5% of dogs treated by intraperitoneal administration. The intraperitoneal route of chemotherapy administration results in higher drug levels in target peritoneal tissues without a corresponding increase in systemic toxicity.
Denver Developmental Screening and Apgar assessments for the pediatric house officer.

The study of development is the backbone of pediatric training. It was not until 1951, however, that the American Board of Pediatrics1 officially recommended expanding the curriculum of training to include information on well-child growth and development. Since then, numerous scales and testing tools for developmental assessment have allowed diagnosis and successful intervention into sundry abnormalities not well appreciated before. Given this history, it is not surprising that another area of development, in many ways akin to pediatrics, has been thus far overlooked. As new physicians embarking on residency training nationwide, our similarity to children can be appreciated with the acknowledgment of the multitude of milestones to be mastered on many levels during the training process. Timely acquisition of these milestones is of utmost importance to a house officer9s survival, and adequate feedback regarding one9s progress is often lacking. Thus, we sought a method for assessment and feedback for the house officer and elected to apply to this task the developmental testing used in the evaluation of our patients. We present here a scheme for the developmental assessment of the pediatric house officer with the following goals: first, that the milestones to be achieved during training be better appreciated and, second, that this initial report may stimulate more in-depth research into this area at other institutions of training. MATERIALS AND METHODS The population used for this preliminary prospective study was the pediatric house staff at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The time of study was July 1985 to June 1986.
Photodegradation of clothianidin under simulated California rice field conditions.

BACKGROUND Photodegradation can be a major route of dissipation for pesticides applied to shallow rice field water, leading to diminished persistence and reducing the risk of offsite transport. The objective of this study was to characterize the aqueous-phase photodegradation of clothianidin under simulated California rice field conditions. RESULTS Photodegradation of clothianidin was characterized in deionized, Sacramento River and rice field water samples. Pseudo-first-order rate constants and DT50 values in rice field water (mean k = 0.0158 min(-1) ; mean DT50 = 18.0 equivalent days) were significantly slower than in deionized water (k = 0.0167 min(-1) ; DT50 = 14.7 equivalent days) and river water (k = 0.0146 min(-1) ; DT50 = 16.6 equivalent days) samples. Quantum yield ϕc values demonstrate that approximately 1 and 0.5% of the light energy absorbed results in photochemical transformation in pure and field water respectively. Concentrations of the photodegradation product thiazolymethylurea in aqueous photolysis samples were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and accounted for ≤17% in deionized water and ≤8% in natural water. CONCLUSION Photodegradation rates of clothianidin in flooded rice fields will be controlled by turbidity and light attenuation. Aqueous-phase photodegradation may reduce the risk of offsite transport of clothianidin from flooded rice fields (via drainage) and mitigate exposure to non-target organisms. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
Production of interferon by human tumor cell lines

Fourteen continuous human cell lines, including nine derived from tumors and five from non-neoplastic tissues, produced interferon in response to induction with bluetongue virus (BTV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and poly(I) . poly(C) complexed with DEAE-dextran. The seven best interferon-producing cell lines (one from a melanoma, five derived from carcinomas, and one SV40-virus-transformed kidney cell line) responded to at least one of the viral inducers with yields of interferon over 1000 units/ml. Because the HT-1376 bladder carcinoma cell line produced high yields of interferon in this survey, and is easily propagated, the optimal conditions for interferon production were investigated, using BTV as the inducer. Interferon yields in 59 inductions over a period of about two years consistently fell within a 6-fold range, and had a geometric mean titer of about 2700 reference units (RU)/ml, representing the production of about 3 RU/10(3) cells. This yield is comparable to mean titers of 1 to 10 RU/10(3) cells obtained by others with human leukocytes, foreskin cell strains, or the Namalva lymphoblastoid cell line. UV-inactivated BTV at a multiplicity corresponding to 10 PFU/cell was as effective an inducer in the HT-1376 cell line as the fully infectious virus at a multiplicity of 1 PFU/cell. The interferon produced by the HT-1376 epithelial cell line has characteristics similar to the interferon induced by poly(I) . poly(C) in human diploid fibroblasts. These studies clearly demonstrate that many different types of tumor-derived cells have the capacity to produce interferon, and that some equal or surpass the efficiency of diploid cells.
Comparison of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure to inactivate foodborne viruses

Abstract The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HPP) and hydrodynamic pressure (HDP), in combination with chemical treatments, was evaluated for inactivation of foodborne viruses and non-pathogenic surrogates in a pork sausage product. Sausages were immersed in distilled water, 100-ppm EDTA, or 2% lactoferrin, and then inoculated with feline calicivirus (FCV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) or bacteriophage (MS2, phiX174, or T4). Each piece was packaged individually and subjected to pressure by either HDP, HPP (500 MPa, 5 min, 4 °C), or control (no pressure). On sausages immersed in water, HPP and HDP significantly (P Industrial relevance This is the first study to directly compare hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure technologies to inactivate microorganisms. This is also the first study to examine the inactivation of viruses and bacteriophages by pressure technology in a deli meat product. This study shows that viruses attached to meat surfaces may be protected from complete inactivation by hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure treatments, and these findings require more investigation into the survival of viruses in deli meat products.
Synthesis, characterization and decomposition studies of tris(N, N-dibenzyldithiocarbamato)indium(III): chemical spray deposition of polycrystalline CuInS2 on copper films

Tris(bis(phenylmethyl)carbamodithioato-S,S ), commonly referred to as tris(N,Ndibenzyldithiocarbamato) indium(III), In(S2CNBz2)3, was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 bar with two molecules per unit cell. The material was further characterized using a novel analytical system employing the combined powers of thermogravimetric analysis, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate its potential use as a precursor for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of thin film materials for photovoltaic applications. Upon heating, the material thermally decomposes to release CS2 and benzyl moieties in to the gas phase, resulting in bulk In2S3. Preliminary spray CVD experiments indicate that In(S2CNBz2)3 decomposed on a Cu substrate reacts to produce stoichiometric CuInS2 films.
A rigid cavity containing tetra-cobalt(III) [2 × 2] grid complex

The synthesis and structure of a rigid, cavity containing tetra-cobalt(III) [2 × 2] grid complex using an unusual bis(bipyridine)dimethoxynaphthyridine ligand is described.
Pustules, pyoderma and pemphigus in canine dermatology.

lesions of the skin.They may involve hair follicles or non-follicular skin and can be found in, or beneath, the epidermis. Pustules are fragile and, therefore, tend to be transient, rupturing to form epidermal collarettes (circular rims of scale) and focal adherent crusts. Although pustules typically contain neutrophils and are infectious in origin, they do not always contain micro-organisms. The differential diagnosis for pustular disease in dogs is large and includes:
MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, elicits circling behavior in the genetically inbred Balb/c mouse strain

The Balb/c mouse is behaviorally hypersensitive to effects of MK-801 (dizocilpine), a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, and displays impaired sociability. In the current investigation, MK-801-elicited circling behavior in the genetically inbred Balb/c mouse strain that was either not or only minimally observed in similarly treated outbred Swiss-Webster mice. The ability of compounds to attenuate the intensity of MK-801-elicited circling behavior in the Balb/c mouse strain may serve as a preclinical screening paradigm for identifying effective NMDA receptor agonist interventions in the intact animal; ideally, these compounds would have therapeutic value in neuropsychiatric disorders associated with impaired sociability, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
The Significance of Fisher: A Review of R.A. Fisher: The Life of a Scientist

Abstract A number of colleagues have made helpful criticism and comments. They certainly do not uniformly agree with my judgments and emphases, but my warm appreciation goes to Keith Baker, Albert Biderman, Richard Brown, K. Alexander Brownlee, Donald T. Campbell, William G. Cochran, Lee J. Cronbach, Cuthbert Daniel, F.N. David, Arthur P. Dempster, Churchill Eisenhart, Stephen E. Fienberg, David Finney, Milton Friedman, I.J. Good, Bernard G. Greenberg, N.T. Gridgeman, William Jaffe, Oscar Kempthorne, Erich L. Lehmann, Richard C. Lewontin, Donald MacKenzie, William G. Madow, Margaret E. Martin, Frederick Mosteller, Jerzy Neyman, John W. Pratt, Donald B. Rubin, I.R. Savage, Hilary L. Seal, Hanan Selvin, Oscar B. Sheynin, David L. Sills, Theodor D. Sterling, George Stigler, Stephen M. Stigler, Fred L. Strodtbeck, Alan Stuart, Judith M. Tanur, Ronald Thisted, Howard Wainer, Frank Yates, Arnold Zellner and Harriet Zuckerman. Joan Fisher Box's biography of R.A. Fisher presents a lively and detailed description ...
Formation of Saturn's spokes

The theoretical requirements of the Goertz and Morfill (1983) model of the formation of spokes in the rings of Saturn are analyzed. Consideration is given to model predictions of dust particle size distribution, the optical depth of the spokes, and the radial speed of spoke evolution. It is shown that the electrostatic levitation of singly charged dust particles would be sufficient to cause the spokes to form. The maximum formation time for spokes of more than 10,000 km radial length is estimated to be less than five minutes. Observations of the scattering properties of the spokes showed general agreement with the theoretical calculations.
Dyads for Photoinduced Charge Separation Based on Platinum Diimine Bis(acetylide) Chromophores: Synthesis, Luminescence and Transient Absorption Studies

The platinum diimine bis(acetylide) chromophore was utilized to explore photoinduced intramolecular reductive quenching with phenothiazine donors in chromophore−donor dyad complexes. Compounds of the general formula Pt(X2-bpy)(C⋮C-p-C6H4CH2(D))2 (where D = phenothiazine (PTZ) or trifluromethylphenothiazine (TPZ) and X = tBu or CO2Et) were synthesized from the corresponding Pt(X2-bpy)Cl2 and aryl acetylene by a CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction. Solvent dependence was explored for the system with X = tBu in MeCN, CH2Cl2, EtOAc, and toluene. Electron transfer quenching of the 3MLCT excited state of the platinum diimine bis(acetylide) takes place in MeCN leaving no intrinsic emission from the excited state, but in toluene both the PTZ and TPZ dyad complexes exhibit no emission quenching. Picosecond pump−probe transient absorption (TA) experiments were used to monitor decay of the 3MLCT excited state and electron transfer to form the charge-separated (CS) state. Electrochemical measurements were used to estimat...
Some Results for Discrete Unimodality

Abstract In a classical theorem, Ibragimov demonstrated the strong unimodality of log-concave probability density functions. Comparable results for lattice distributions are exhibited and their potential significance is suggested.
Searching for interacting partners of CLN 1, CLN2 and Btn1p with the two-hybrid system

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are the most common neurodegenerative disorders of childhood. The CLN1, CLN2 and CLN3 genes are associated to the infantile, late infantile and juvenile forms of NCL, respectively. We have subcloned the cDNAs encoding CLN1, CLN2 and BTN1 , the yeast homologue of human CLN3, into plasmid vectors to evaluate whether these proteins interact with other proteins co-expressed from either a cDNA library derived from human cerebellum or from yeast, respectively, using the two-hybrid system. We concluded that CLN1 most likely does not interact with any other proteins in vivo. Furthermore, it is unlikely that CLN2 interacts with other proteins in vivo , although this study utilized a cDNA encoding the CLN2 precursor and it is possible that interacting partners may be excluded by the nature of this protein structure. Finally, we conclude that proteins that interact with Btn1 p and therefore CLN3 cannot be identified using the whole proteins in a two-hybrid system, due to the hydrophobic nature of this protein. By understanding the topology of CLN3, specific regions of CLN3 need to be tested by two-hybrid to identify any interacting partners.
New architecture for utility-scale electricity from concentrator photovoltaics

The paper describes a new system architecture optimized for utility-scale generation with concentrating photovoltaic cells (CPV) at fossil fuel price. We report on-sun tests of the architecture and development at the University of Arizona of the manufacturing processes adapted for high volume production. The new system takes advantage of triple-junction cells to convert concentrated sunlight into electricity. These commercially available cells have twice the conversion efficiency of silicon panels (40%) and one-tenth the cost per watt, when used at 1000x concentration. Telescope technology is adapted to deliver concentrated light to the cells at minimum cost. The architecture combines three novel elements: large (3.1 m x 3.1 m square) dish reflectors made as back-silvered glass monoliths; 2.5 kW receivers at each dish focus, each one incorporating a spherical field lens to deliver uniform illumination to multiple cells; and a lightweight steel spaceframe structure to hold multiple dish/receiver units in coalignment and oriented to the sun. Development of the process for replicating single-piece reflector dishes is well advanced at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab. End-to-end system tests have been completed with single cells. A lightweight steel spaceframe to hold and track eight dish/receiver units to generate 20 kW has been completed. A single 2.5 kW receiver is presently under construction, and is expected to be operated in an end-to-end on-sun test with a monolithic dish before the end of 2010. The University of Arizona has granted an exclusive license to REhnu, LLC to commercialize this technology.
A Brief Patient-Reported Outcomes Quality of Life (PROQOL) Instrument to Improve Patient Care

Jeff Sloan and colleagues describe the development of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Quality of Life (PROQOL) instrument, which captures and stores patient-recorded outcomes in the medical record for patients with diabetes. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Integrative Medical Education: Development and Implementation of a Comprehensive Curriculum at the University of Arizona

Dissatisfaction with the U.S. health care system is increasing despite impressive technologic advances. This dissatisfaction is one factor that has led patients to seek out complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and led medical schools to start teaching CAM. This paper focuses on the University of Arizona’s approach to developing and implementing a comprehensive curriculum in integrative medicine. Integrative medicine is defined much more broadly than CAM. It is healing-oriented medicine that reemphasizes the relationship between patient and physician, and integrates the best of complementary and alternative medicine with the best of conventional medicine. Since its inception in 1996, the Program in Integrative Medicine (PIM) has grown to include a two-year residential fellowship that educates four fellows each year, a distance learning associate fellowship that educates 50 physicians each year, medical student and resident rotations, continuing medical and professional education, an NIHsupported research department, and an active outreach program to facilitate the international development of integrative medicine. The paper describes the PIM curriculum, educational programs, clinical education, goals, and results. Future strategies for assessing competency and credentialing professionals are suggested. Acad. Med. 2002;77:851‐860.
Trichostatin A inhibits beta-casein expression in mammary epithelial cells.

Many aspects of cellular behavior are affected by information derived from association of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and with cell membrane receptors. When cultured in the presence of laminin-containing ECM and prolactin (Prl), normal mammary epithelial cells express the milk protein beta-casein. Previously, we defined the minimal ECM- and Prl-responsive enhancer element BCE-1 from the upstream region of the beta-casein gene. We also found that BCE-1 was only active when stably integrated into chromatin, and that trichostatin A (TSA), a reagent that leads to alterations in chromatin structure, was able to activate the integrated enhancer element. We now show that endogenous b-casein gene, which is controlled by a genetic assembly that is highly similar to that of BCE-1 and which is also activated by incubation in ECM and Prl, is instead inhibited by TSA. We provide evidence that the differing response of b-casein and BCE-1 to TSA is neither due to an unusual effect of TSA on mammary epithelial cells, nor to secondary consequences from the expression of a separate gene, nor to a particular property of the BCE-1 construct. As a component of this investigation, we also showed that ECM could mediate rapid histone deacetylation in mammary epithelial cells.more » These results are discussed in combination with previous work showing that TSA mediates the differentiation of many types of cancer cells but inhibits differentiation of some nonmalignant cell types.« less
Structural characterization of the interactions between palladin and α-actinin

The interaction between α-actinin and palladin, two actin-cross-linking proteins, is essential for proper bidirectional targeting of these proteins. As a first step toward understanding the role of this complex in organizing cytoskeletal actin, we have characterized binding interactions between the EF-hand domain of α-actinin (Act-EF34) and peptides derived from palladin and generated an NMR-derived structural model for the Act-EF34/palladin peptide complex. The critical binding site residues are similar to an α-actinin binding motif previously suggested for the complex between Act-EF34 and titin Z-repeats. The structure-based model of the Act-EF34/palladin peptide complex expands our understanding of binding specificity between the scaffold protein α-actinin and various ligands, which appears to require an α-helical motif containing four hydrophobic residues, common to many α-actinin ligands. We also provide evidence that the Family X mutation in palladin, associated with a highly penetrant form of pancreatic cancer, does not interfere with α-actinin binding.
Fatigue Reliability Based Optimal Replacement Decision Based on First Order Reliability Method

This paper introduces a maintenance decision-making strategy in the general area of the replacement and reliability of mechanical components. The decision-making strategy involves the optimization of the replacement interval based on fatigue failure of mechanical components. Fatigue reliabilities of a component under random cyclic loading need to be evaluated to determine the optimal replacement intervals under fatigue failure. This task is undertaken by determining a reliability factor using an inverse reliability analysis. A reliability-defined e-N curve (R-e-Nf curve) can be generated for an empirical e-N relationship and a “unique” reliability factor by modifying the nominal e-Nf curve using reliability factors for an assigned reliability. A family of R-e-Nf curves, which includes the conventional e-Nf curve, can then be obtained. Hence, fatigue life under specified reliability or reliability based on mission life can be predicted using these curves. This method can efficiently determine replacement intervals for components whose operating costs increase with use and replacement intervals for components subject to failure induced by random process. An example is presented to demonstrate the application of the present method.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The social psychology of alcohol use and violent behavior among sports spectators

Abstract To most people it seems perfectly obvious that alcohol use is one of the main reasons why sports spectators exhibit violent behavior. However, most drinking among sports spectators does not result in violent behavior. Thus, the link between alcohol use and violent behavior among sports spectators is more complex than it seems. This paper organizes and reviews the literature on alcohol use and violent behavior among sports spectators. It is quite apparent that any attempt to understand alcohol use and violent behavior among sports spectators must consider a variety of social psychological factors. This paper examines nine such factors: thrill seeking/quest for excitement, impulsivity, frustration, anger, psychopathy, the false consensus effect, the Bedouin syndrome, team identification, and alcohol expectancies.
Combining ability for yield, protein and oil of peanut lines from South American centers of diversity

Ten peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) lines, two from each of five centers of diversity in South America, and the F2 generation of all possible crosses among them were used to characterize the variation for yield, fruit and seed traits and protein and oil content and to determine the breeding potential of the parents. Two of the parental lines belong to subspecies hypogaea and the other eight to subspecies fastigiata.
Antagonism of corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in the locus coeruleus attenuates shock-induced freezing in rats.

Intracerebroventricularly administered α-helical CRF9−41, a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonist, is known to reduce a variety of stress-induced behavioral responses. This study examined in rats whether antagonism of CRF receptors in the region of locus coeruleus (LC) plays a role in reducing freezing induced by electric foot shock. Freezing is a well-characterized defensive response to stress and has been demonstrated to index an animal's degree of fear. A CRF-receptor antagonist, α-helical CRF9−41, bilaterally infused into the LC significantly reduced the duration of freezing at a dose as low as 0.20 ggmg. Additional experiments confirmed that 0.20 μg of α-helical CRF9−41 significantly reduced the duration of freezing only when cannulae were within the LC or in regions bordering the nucleus. Antagonist-treated rats with cannulae that did not impinge on the LC exhibited freezing at levels not different from vehicle-treated animals. These results strongly implicate CRF receptors located in the LC region in influencing the display of stress-induced behavior.
EFFECTS OF SOY PROTEIN AND FREEZING TREATMENTS ON COOKING LOSS AND COMPOSITION OF BEEF PATTIES

All-beef and soy-extended patties were frozen to −18°C in either 24, 48, 72 or 96h and stored at −23, −18 or −7°C for 6, 9, 12, 18 or 24 months. The addition of soy resulted in a substantial reduction in cooking loss for patties cooked from the frozen state with a greater retention of moisture in cooked patties. Freezing reduced cooking loss for soy-extended patties, but increased cooking loss for all-beef patties. Faster freezing (-18°C in 24 h vs. −18°C in 96 h) reduced cooking loss and produced higher moisture values in all-beef patties. Patties stored at –7°C lost more moisture during cooking. Increased frozen storage time had a minimal effect on cooking losses, moisture and fat levels. Where it is essential for frozen patties to sustain minimal cooking losses with maximal moisture in cooked patties, the inclusion of soy protein concentrate, faster freezing, and storage at –18°C or colder are suggested.
Influence of Relative Permeability on the Stability Characteristics of Immiscible Flow in Porous Media

Relative permeability functions for immiscible displacements in porous media show a wide range of profiles. Although, this behavior is well known, its impact on the stability of the displacement process is unexplored. Our analysis clearly demonstrates for the first time that the viscous instability characteristics of two-phase flows are governed not only by their end point values, but are strongly dependent on the actual profile of relative permeability functions. Linear stability analysis predicts the capacity of the flow to develop large scale fingers which can result in substantial bypassing of the resident fluid. It is observed that relative permeability functions attributed to drainage processes yield a more unstable displacement as compared to functions related to imbibition processes. Moreover, instability is observed to increase for those relative permeability functions which result from increased wettability of the wetting fluid. High accuracy numerical simulations show agreement with these predictions and demonstrate how large amplitude viscous fingers result in significant bypassing for certain relative permeability functions. In the nonlinear regime, the finger amplitude grows at a rate ∝ t1/2 initially, drops to t1/4 at a later time and finally grows ∝ t. The basic mechanisms of finger interaction, however, are not substantially influenced by relative permeability functions.
Welfare Reform Implications for Young Children With Disabilities, Their Families, and Service Providers

On August 22, 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, better known as the Welfare Reform Act, was signed by President Clinton. This legislation dramatically chang...
ON THE ORIGIN OF CRYSTALLIZABLE RNA FROM YEAST.

Low molecular weight RNA, extracted from yeast by a warm detergent method, has previously been crystallized. It was at first thought to be transfer RNA. The RNA was later found to have a lower molecular weight than intact transfer RNA, though it had some arnino-acid acceptor activity. Intact transfer RNA could not be made to crystallize. In the present work, intact purified yeast transfer RNA was degraded by various means and attempts were made to isolate crystallizable fragments. All these attempts failed. Isolated yeast ribosomes were then degraded by limited treatment with alkali and the RNA fragments isolated. These fragments crystallized in the same way as the RNA extracted with detergent from whole cells. It is concluded that the crystallizable RNA extracted from whole cells was probably derived mainly from ribosomes and not from transfer RNA. The conclusion is consistent with observations on Sephadex fractions of the original crystallizable material; it probably contains less than 20% transfer RNA, with more than 80% RNA of ribosomal origin. Experiments with Escherichia coli ribosomes have not so far yielded crystallizable RNA, but it has been obtained from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes. Implications of the results for ribosome and transfer RNA structure are discussed.
Functional genomics tool: gene silencing in Ixodes scapularis eggs and nymphs by electroporated dsRNA.

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods responsible for transmitting a wide variety of disease-causing agents, and constitute important public health threats globally. Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of the Lyme disease agent in the eastern and central U.S. RNAi is a mechanism by which gene-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers degradation of homologous mRNA transcripts. Here, we describe an optimized protocol for effectively suppressing gene expression in the egg and nymphal stages of I. scapularis by electroporation. The genes encoding the putative Phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cytoplasmic Cystatin, Syntaxin-5, β-Actin and Calreticulin were targeted by delivering the dsRNA encoding the specific gene coding regions in the unfed nymphs. Silencing was measured using real time qRT-PCR. Electroporation as a mode of dsRNA delivery appears to be substantially efficient and less traumatic to the tick than dsRNA microinjection in the unfed nymphs. Using Cy3-labeled dsRNA to monitor the movement, electroporated dsRNA entered the nymphs and spread to salivary glands and other tissues. The significant disruption of β-actin and cytoplasmic Cystatin transcripts in tick eggs demonstrate the applicability of this technique. The PLA2, cytoplasmic Cystatin, Syntaxin-5, β-Actin and Calreticulin genes were also significantly silenced, suggesting that this method has the potential to introduce dsRNA in eggs and unfed nymphs. Our study demonstrates that electroporation can be used as a simple dsRNA delivery tool in assessing the functional role of tick genes in the vector-host interactions. This technique represents a novel approach for specific gene suppression in immature stages of ticks.
Trusters Cooperate, Except When They Don't

Trust in International Cooperation: International Security Institutions, Domestic Politics and American Multilateralism. By Brian C. Rathbun. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. 253 pp., $95.00 hardback (ISBN-13: 978-1-107-01471-8). Brian Rathbun takes on the task of explaining why American planners opted for multilateral solutions to international security problems in the twentieth century. Although this is a subject that many have taken up before (Caporaso 1992; Ruggie 1993) and have even discussed in reference to American domestic politics (Burley 1993; Cowhey 1993), Rathbun proposes a new explanation that borrows from the social psychology literature on generalized trust. Rathbun argues “that multilateralism is the expression of trust. In the context of strategic interdependence, trust is belief that cooperation will be reciprocated” (p. 2), and generalized trust is “a broad belief that others are largely trustworthy” (p. 3). His goal is to “import fresh insights from another discipline to upend certain conventional wisdoms regarding international cooperation and organizations” (p. 5). Rathbun's key theme is that trust doesn't follow cooperation, as liberal institutionalists claim, but that cooperation follows trust . Rathbun is prompted by the unilateralism of the George W. Bush administration and what this might suggest for the future of American multilateralism. The quick take-away answer is that American commitment to multilateralism will come and go depending on who controls the White House. Voters who value international cooperation (and Rathbun actively assumes that reasonable people do) can rectify this by voting for candidates who have a disposition to or inclination for international cooperation (pp. 226–227), and social psychology tells us that liberal Democrats are so disposed and conservative Republicans are not. But before Rathbun goes there, he takes us back through the history of thwarted American efforts to construct and join the League of Nations and the more successful efforts to build the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). With its very first words, the preface sets a tone that some readers might have trouble overlooking: “This …
Sequential importance sampling of binary sequences

Two sequential methods are described for sampling constrained binary sequences from partial solutions. The backward method computes elimination ideals over finite fields and constructs partial solutions that extend. The forward method uses numerical global optimization to determine which partial solutions extend. The methods are applied to restricted orderings, binary dynamics, and random graphs.
Calcium channel heterogeneity in canine left ventricular myocytes.

Regional variations in the electrophysiological properties of myocytes across the left ventricular wall play an important role in both the normal physiology of the heart and the genesis of arrhythmias. To investigate the possible contributions of calcium channels to transmural electrical heterogeneity, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from isolated canine epicardial and endocardial left ventricular myocytes. Two major differences in Ca2+ channel properties were found between epi- and endocardial cells. First, the L-type Ca2+ current was larger in endocardial than in epicardial myocytes. The average peak current density at +10 mV in endocardial myocytes was 3.4 ± 0.2 pA pF−1, and was 45 % higher than that in epicardium (2.3 ± 0.1 pA pF−1). The kinetic properties of the L-type current in epi- and endocardial cells were not significantly different. Second, a low-threshold, rapidly activating and inactivating Ca2+ current that resembled the T-type current was present in all endocardial myocytes but was small or absent in epicardial myocytes. This T-like current had an average peak density of 0.5 pA pF−1 at −40 mV in endocardial cells. In most endocardial cells the T-like Ca2+ current comprised two components: a Ni2+-sensitive T-type current and a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Ca2+ current. We conclude that there are considerable regional variations in the density and properties of Ca2+ channels across the canine left ventricular wall. These variations may contribute to the overall transmural electrical heterogeneity.
The effects of alcohol on semantic and phonetographic generalization

One group of normal college males was given a moderate amount of alcohol prior to conditioned discrimination training of a voluntary response. A control group was given a placebo drink. The Placebo Ss later showed the usual superiority of semantic over phonetographic generalization. Alcohol completely reversed this relationship.
Nonuniform and adaptive coupling stiffness for virtual grasping

Recent virtual grasping approaches involve physical simulation and virtual couplings between tracked and virtual hand configurations. We introduce a nonuniform coupling in which the stiffness of thumb coupling is scaled relative to that of other digits. This shifts the position of grasped objects in the hand, which may impact grasp and release performance. We graphically illustrate the effects on grasped object position, and we experimentally measure impact on object motion during grasp release. In addition to basic nonuniform scaling, we propose adaptive scaling to account for the number and depth of digits involved in multi-finger grasps. We show that one particular choice of adaptive coupling results in a tradeoff of increased object position consistency and decreased release consistency. The knowledge gained from our study will enable researchers to optimize couplings in future work.
ANALYSIS OF INFLAMMATION

In the past, inflammation has been associated with infections and with the immune system. But more recent evidence suggests that a much broader range of diseases have telltale markers for inflammation. Inflammation is the basic mechanism available for repair of tissue after an injury and consists of a cascade of cellular and microvascular reactions that serve to remove damaged and generate new tissue. The cascade includes elevated permeability in microvessels, attachment of circulating cells to the vessels in the vicinity of the injury site, migration of several cell types, cell apoptosis, and growth of new tissue and blood vessels. This review provides a summary of the major microvascular, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that regulate elements of the inflammatory cascade. The analysis is largely focused on the identification of the major participants, notably signaling and adhesion molecules, and their mode of action in the inflammatory cascade. We present a new hypothesis for the generation of inflammatory mediators in plasma that are derived from the digestive pancreatic enzymes responsible for digestion. The inflammatory cascade offers a large number of opportunities for development of quantitative models that describe various aspects of human diseases.
Network News Coverage of Obesity in Two Time Periods: An Analysis of Issues, Sources, and Frames

Obesity is an epidemic plaguing American society. The current study adds to a growing body of framing research as it examines the portrayal of obesity on television network news in two 5-year time periods, 1995–1999 and 2005–2009. Through content analysis of TV news transcripts from three networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS), this study analyzed episodic–thematic frames, issues, and sources. Results revealed the amount of obesity-related news coverage increased along with thematically framed stories. The use of politicians, affected others, supporters, and others as sources increased, but experts and those struggling with obesity remained primary sources. Changes in the proportion of issues discussed revealed significant decreases in the discussion of genetic causes and personal stories. Results reflect the societal impact of obesity and indicate the ways in which obesity is perceived by the public through network news. Findings provide insight for media advocacy opportunities and contribute to research on framin...