cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome-based PCR primers for specific and sensitive detection and quantification of Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is an important pathogen of many commercial crops. Detection of X. fastidiosa is difficult due to low concentrations of the bacteria in insects and asymptomatic plant tissue, and non-uniform distribution in infected plants. A dual purpose conventional PCR and quantitative PCR (TaqMan™) system was developed for the generic detection of X. fastidiosa strains. Primers HL5 and HL6, designed to amplify a unique region common to the sequenced genomes of four Xylella strains, amplified a 221 bp fragment from strains associated with Pierce’s disease of grapes, almond leaf scorch, and oleander leaf scorch disease and from DNA from an Xf strain associated with citrus variegated chlorosis. Standard curves were obtained using concentrations of Xylella ranging from 5 to 105 cells per reaction in water and grape extracts and 10–105 cells in insect DNA. Regression curves were similar, with correlation coefficients of r 2 > 0.97. In quantitative PCR, Ct values ranged between 20 and 36 cycles for 5–105 bacterial cells per reaction. No amplicons were obtained with several non-Xf bacterial strains tested including related plant pathogenic, grape endophytic bacteria and endosymbiotic bacteria isolated from glassy-winged sharpshooters. The method was evaluated for clinical diagnosis of Xf in grapes, almonds and insect vectors. The procedure described is reliable for detection of the pathogen with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.
Simultaneously improving CSAT and profit in a retail banking organization

Customer satisfaction (CSAT) is the key driver for retention and growth in retail banking and several techniques have been applied by banks to achieve this. For instance, banks in emerging markets with high footfall in branches have gone beyond the traditional approach of segmenting customers and services to optimizing the wait time for customers visiting the bank's branch. While this approach has significantly improved service quality, it has also added a new dimension in the service quality metric : pro-actively identify and address customer needs for (i) efficient banking experience and (ii) enhancing profit by selling additional services to existing customer. In this paper we present a system that addresses the challenge involved in providing better service to retail banking customer while ensuring that a larger share of customer's wallet comes to the branch. We do this by combining predictive analytics, scheduling and process optimization techniques.
Mechanobiology of tendon

Tendons are able to respond to mechanical forces by altering their structure, composition, and mechanical properties--a process called tissue mechanical adaptation. The fact that mechanical adaptation is effected by cells in tendons is clearly understood; however, how cells sense mechanical forces and convert them into biochemical signals that ultimately lead to tendon adaptive physiological or pathological changes is not well understood. Mechanobiology is an interdisciplinary study that can enhance our understanding of mechanotransduction mechanisms at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of tendon mechanobiology. The discussion begins with the mechanical forces acting on tendons in vivo, tendon structure and composition, and its mechanical properties. Then the tendon's response to exercise, disuse, and overuse are presented, followed by a discussion of tendon healing and the role of mechanical loading and fibroblast contraction in tissue healing. Next, mechanobiological responses of tendon fibroblasts to repetitive mechanical loading conditions are presented, and major cellular mechanotransduction mechanisms are briefly reviewed. Finally, future research directions in tendon mechanobiology research are discussed.
Effects of x-irradiation of pupae on aging of the thoracic flight muscle of the adult house fly Musca domestica L.

Abstract Administration of single, 10000 rad X-ray doses to 48-hour old pupae of the common house fly Musca domestica, at a dose rate of 2000 rads per minute, produced no “beneficial” effects upon the flight ability (as measured by wing beat frequency) in either male or female adults. However, such treatment to the pupae did produce increase in the initial, as well as the peak level of activity, during the first 24–36 hours post-emergence, of arginine phosphokinase in the thoracic flight muscle of adult males produced from such irradiated pupae. At the same time, protein synthesis in the flight muscle, as measured by the rates of incorporation of radioisotope-labeled leucine, valine, and alanine showed a similar, parallel increase for adult male flies from irradiated pupae during the first 24 to 36 hours post-emergence.
A Comparison of the Indentation Size Effect in Fused Silica and Crystalline Quartz

Abstract The Indentation Size Effect (ISE) in Fused Silica and Crystalline Quartz were measured by both Knoop and Vicker indenters and both exhibited a crossover for the different indenters at about the same indentation load. The crossover can be explained by the ratio of the (surface area/indentation volume) from the geometries of the two indenters.
Dynamic relations for sparsely sampled Gaussian processes

In longitudinal studies, it is common to observe repeated measurements data from a sample of subjects where noisy measurements are made at irregular times, with a random number of measurements per subject. Often a reasonable assumption is that the data are generated by the trajectories of a smooth underlying stochastic process. In some cases, one observes multivariate time courses generated by a multivariate stochastic process. To understand the nature of the underlying processes, it is then of interest to relate the values of a process at one time with the value it assumes at another time, and also to relate the values assumed by different components of a multivariate trajectory at the same time or at specific times selected for each trajectory. In addition, an assessment of these relationships will allow to predict future values of an individual’s trajectories. Derivatives of the trajectories are frequently more informative than the time courses themselves, for instance, in the case of growth curves. It is then of great interest to study the estimation of derivatives from sparse data. Such estimation procedures permit the study of time-dynamic relationships between derivatives and trajectory levels within the same trajectory and between the components of multivariate trajectories. Reviewing and extending recent work, we demonstrate the estimation of corresponding empirical dynamical systems and demonstrate asymptotic consistency of predictions and dynamic transfer functions. We illustrate the resulting prediction procedures and empirical first-order differential equations with a study of the dynamics of longitudinal functional data for the relationship of blood pressure and body mass index.
Experiencing Wrongful and Unlawful Conviction

This study examines how those wrongfully convicted and punished experience life after exoneration. Using data from intensive individual, in-person interviews with 55 exonerees, we measure both the short- and long-term psychological effects associated with wrongful conviction. The results of this research demonstrate that a substantial portion of the study participants were suffering from clinical anxiety, depression, PTSD or a combination of the three disorders at the time of the interviews. Finally, we call for more integrated approaches for addressing a wide range of often interrelated social, psychological and mental health issues experienced by those who were wrongfully convicted.
Kinetics of Film Formation of Poly-L-Proline at High Temperatures

At room temperature and in aqueous solution, poly-L-proline predominantly adopts a relatively open left-handed 31-helix termed polyproline II (PPII). The corresponding far UV electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum exhibits a couplet with a pronounced minimum at ∼ 204 nm, and a much less intense maximum at ∼ 228 nm. When poly-L-proline is incubated in a quartz cell for two hours at temperatures above 60°C, a gradual decay of the PPII signal is observed. It is replaced by a spectrum which displays a strong negative signal at ∼220 nm (?), thus being indicative of a right handed conformation. This PPII signal decay is thought to be caused by the formation of a film on the inner surface of the cell. After removal of the poly-L-proline solution from the cell, the ECD was measured on both the liquid and cell individually. The ECD of the removed liquid portion resembles a typical PPII spectrum, while that of the cell results in the aforementioned spectrum, with a significant minimum at ∼220 nm, and a minor minimum at ∼204 nm. The rate of film formation depends strongly on the incubation temperature. Bi-exponential rise and decay modeled the disappearance of the PPII signal in aqueous solution and growth of the film, respectively. The respective relaxation constants were determined to be 10−3 s−1 and 10−4 s−1 for the PPII signal disappearance and film formation, respectively, at T= 65C ? (Laura?). The analysis of the kinetics measured at different temperatures between 60° and 75° C reveals a non- Arrhenius behavior. A further structural characterization of the obtained poly-L-proline film and a thermodynamic analysis are currently being carried out in our laboratory.
Patterns of nutrient loading in forested and urbanized coastal streams

Abstract As part of a larger investigation of the effects of coastal urbanization on estuaries, stream nutrient loading was examined over a range of hydrologic and seasonal conditions for an urbanized and a forested watershed (11 ha versus 37 ha). Despite the smaller size, the urbanized stream produced 72% greater annual streamflow volume (162 versus 94 × 103m3 · yr−1), and 66% greater annual sediment load than the forested stream (1796 versus 1082 kg · yr−1 ). This was due to the longer period of groundwater interception at the urbanized site (increased drainage), and the elevated sediment production resulting from deep excavation (2.1 versus 0.4 m), bank instability, and resuspension of sediment. Mean annual DOC concentration in the urbanized stream (13 mg C · l−1 ) was only half as concentrated as the forested stream (26 mg C · l−1 · yr−1). However, the annual DOC load between streams was within 10% (urban 2.25 · 103 versus forest 2.5 × 103kg · C · yr−1 ) due to the greater runoff volume at the urbanized stream. More than twice the amount of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (NOxN and NH4N) flowed out of the urbanized watershed than from the forested watershed (34 vs. 14 kg · N · yr−1 ). An even bigger difference between sites was observed with respect to the NOxN load. Greater runoff volume at the urbanized stream combined with higher mean annual concentration of NOxN ( 130 versus 43 μg N · l−1 · yr−1 ) resulted in 11 × more NOxN loading at the urbanized stream than the forested stream (18.0 versus 1.6 kg · N · yr−1). Near channel soil aeration brought on by deep excavation may have promoted more oxidized (and mobile) forms of mineral N. Transport patterns of the two forms of mineral nitrogen varied substantially between streams, with the urbanized site exhibiting a steady release of the NH4N and NOxN the effects of an extensive unsaturated soil. In contrast, nitrogen loading of NH4N and NOxN at forested Oyster Creek was more episodic, with spring pulses generating much of the load of NOxN (47%), and summer periods of high concentration resulting in most of the annual load of NH4N (32%).
The amino acid sequence Gly-Ala-Pro-Leu appears to be a fibrinogen binding site in the platelet integrin, glycoprotein IIb.

Abstract The amino acid sequence Gly-Ala-Pro-Leu-Arg-Val is predicted by the anticomplementarity hypothesis to be a fibrinogen binding site on human platelet fibrinogen receptors. The peptide Ala-Pro-Leu-Arg-Val binds fibrinogen and inhibits platelet aggregation and clot retraction. The peptide Gly-Ala-Pro-Leu is the shortest sequence within the predicted sequence which potently inhibits the adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen and platelet aggregation. The sequence Gly-Ala-Pro-Leu is present as residues 309–312 in glycoprotein IIb, the α-subunit of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, the fibrinogen receptor. The sequence Gly-Ala-Pro-Leu is present in 4 of 8 integrin α-subunits and Gly-Ala-Pro is present in 8 of 8 integrin α-subunits.
Higgs decays as a window into the dark sector

A light vector boson, ${Z}_{d}$, associated with a ``dark sector'' $U(1{)}_{d}$ gauge group has been introduced to explain certain astrophysical observations as well as low energy laboratory anomalies. In such models, the Higgs boson may decay into $X+{Z}_{d}$, where $X=Z$, ${Z}_{d}$ or $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. Here, we provide estimates of those decay rates as functions of the ${Z}_{d}$ coupling through either mass mixing (e.g., via an enlarged Higgs mechanism) or through heavy new fermion loops and examine the implied LHC phenomenology. Our studies focus on the higher ${m}_{{Z}_{d}}$ case, $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\text{ }\mathrm{\text{several}}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, where the rates are potentially measurable at the LHC, for interesting regions of parameter spaces, at a level complementary to low energy experimental searches for the ${Z}_{d}$. We also show how measurement of the ${Z}_{d}$ polarization (longitudinal vs transverse) can be used to distinguish the physics underlying these rare decays.
Strength Loss Mechanisms for Adhesive Bonds to Electroplated Zinc and Cold Rolled Steel Substrates Subjected to Moist Environments

Abstract Mechanisms of strength toss which affect the durability of epoxy adhesive bonds in moist environments were investigated for electroplated zinc and cold rolled steel substrates. Activation energies for adhesion loss, formation of corrosion product on the substrate surface, and moisture diffusion in the adhesive were determined experimentally. For cold rolled steel substrates, the activation energy for adhesion loss was identical, within experimental error, to the measured activation energy for moisture diffusion in the adhesive. Both of these values were substantially less (=40%) than the activation energy for formation of corrosion product. This confirms the previous results of Gledhill and Kinloch (J. Adhesion 6, 315 (1974)), who attributed strength loss to thermodynamic instability of the adhesive/substrate interface due to the presence of moisture. In contrast, for electroplated zinc substrates, activation energies for adhesion loss and corrosion product formation were essentially equal, and w...
Differential role of D1 and D2 receptors in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus in controlling ethanol drinking and food intake: possible interaction with local orexin neurons.

Background The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), acting in various mesolimbic brain regions, is well known for its role in promoting motivated behaviors, including ethanol (EtOH) drinking. Indirect evidence, however, suggests that DA in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus (PF/LH) has differential effects on EtOH consumption, depending on whether it acts on the DA 1 (D1) or DA 2 (D2) receptor subtype, and that these effects are mediated in part by local peptide systems, such as orexin/hypocretin (OX) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), known to stimulate the consumption of EtOH. Methods The present study in brain-cannulated Sprague-Dawley rats measured the effects of dopaminergic compounds in the PF/LH on drinking behavior in animals trained to consume 7% EtOH and also on local peptide mRNA expression using digoxigenin-labeled in situ hybridization in EtOH-naive animals. Results Experiments 1 and 2 showed that the D1 agonist SKF81297 (10.8 nmol/side) in the PF/LH significantly increased food intake, while tending to increase EtOH intake, and the D1 antagonist SCH23390 significantly decreased EtOH intake without affecting food intake. In contrast, the D2 agonist quinelorane (6.2 nmol/side) in the PF/LH significantly reduced EtOH consumption, while the D2 antagonist sulpiride increased it. Experiments 3 and 4 revealed differential effects of PF/LH injection of the DA agonists on local OX mRNA, which was increased by the D1 agonist and decreased by the D2 agonist. These DA agonists had no impact on MCH expression. Conclusions These results support a stimulatory role of the PF/LH D1 receptor in promoting the consumption of both EtOH and food, in contrast to a suppressive effect of the D2 receptor on EtOH drinking. They further suggest that these receptors affect consumption, in part, through local OX-expressing neurons. These findings provide new evidence for the function of PF/LH DA receptor subtypes in controlling EtOH and food intake.
Calcium levels and availabilities in soils

Abstract Calcium is a member of the Alkaline Earth Family, members of which have atoms with well‐shielded nucleii and two valence electrons which are readily lost thereby forming divalent cations. The basic cation, Ca++, neutralizes acids, is essential for plants, and acts as a flocculator and precursor of granular structure of soils. Expressed as the oxide, Ca constitutes 5% of the earth's crust, but non‐calcareous surface soils generally contain less than 1%. Calcium occurs in soils in various forms, is lost primarily by leaching, and is replenished mainly by liming. Its tendency to go into solution and thereby to become available to plants is regulated by the following mechanisms in the soil: cation exchange capacity, solubility‐insolubility of its component compounds, chelation or complexation capacity, microbial assimilation and excretion, and ion pair formation. Various environmental (weathering) conditions affect these solid‐solution regulating mechanisms. Once Ca is in solution its availability to...
Pathways of Assembly of Aspartate Transcarbamoylase from Catalytic and Regulatory Subunits

Abstract A scheme for the assembly of aspartate transcarbamoylase (EC 2.1.3.2; carbamoylphosphate:L-aspartate carbamoyltransferase) from catalytic and regulatory subunits is presented along with a technique for detecting intermediates and measuring the kinetics of assembly at protein concentrations of about 10 nM. 125I-labeled subunits (106 cpm/μg) were used, and the reaction was “topped”at specific times with an appropriate “chase” followed by electrophoretic separation and measurement of the amounts of the various species. Two intermediates were identified. A stable enzyme complex lacking one regulatory subunit is the principal product when catalytic subunits are in excess. A transiently stable complex lacking one catalytic subunit is the principal species when regulatory subunits are in excess. Measurements with mixtures of the purified regulatory-deficient molecules and free regulatory subunits gave a second-order rate constant of 105 105 M-1 sec-1 for the formation of bonding domains between catalytic and regulatory chains. No data for the rate of rupture of these bonds are available, but the kinetics of the assembly of the enzyme in vitro can be accounted for if this value is about 10-2 sec-1. Assembly from subunits occurs in seconds at concentrations equivalent to those that would exist in vitro even if there were only enzyme molecule per cell.
Laser Dehydrogenation of PECVD Amorphous Silicon

A low temperature process for laser dehydrogenation and crystallization of hydrogenated amorphous silicon has been studied. The key feature of this process is the removal of hydrogen from the amorphous silicon thin films while crystallizing the films at the same time. Studies of transient phenomena, hydrogen loss, and crystallinity, using transient reflectivity analyses, transmission electron microscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry, find that hydrogen out-diffusion depends strongly on film structure and the melt duration controlled by the laser energy density. Utilizing this process, for which the maximum temperature is 350 °C, both high quality polycrystalline and amorphous silicon TFT’s have been fabricated on the same Corning 7059 glass substrate.
Role of the Ekman Layers in the Stability of the Symmetric Regime Obtained in a Rotating Annulus

Abstract The stability of the symmetric regime observed in the rotating heated annulus experiments is investigated. It is shown that the Ekman layers, which have been neglected in previous investigations, are important. In addition to their role in the dissipation of the kinetic energy of the disturbances they induce vertical velocities which can affect the release of the available potential energy necessary for the occurrence of baroclinic instability. The transition curve obtained for marginal stability is in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.
Transition Time: Passing the Editor Baton

After 5 years as Editor of Contemporary Family Therapy I have decided to step down at the end of December 2011. I do so with gratitude for the unique opportunities and experiences this position has provided. And I offer my best wishes to Dr. Russell Crane, who will take over the editor duties as of January 1, 2012. I trust that he, too, will find the perspective offered by and the roles inherent in this position to be enlightening and meaningful. The following are a few closing reflections in this regard. Most importantly, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with both scholars and reviewers from around the world. It is, of course, thanks to those who are called to do the practice and research and then share their findings that journals such as this one are able to contribute to the growth and development of the field of marital/couple and family therapy. At the same time, an equal contribution is provided by the many, many reviewers who volunteer their time and energy to the evaluation of manuscripts and the provision of feedback to authors. The role of mentor also has been extremely significant for me. Indeed, I have felt a tremendous responsibility to help those newer to the challenge of writing publishable articles become successful authors, just as I was helped earlier in my career. Even when the final decision was to reject, I believed that the blow could be softened—for the author(s) and for me—by offering comments and suggestions that might help in future work. In addition, it certainly has been interesting for me to consider the various articles submitted as each issue deadline has approached. Indeed, with the exception of one special issue, no theme was ever established in advance, nor did I ever solicit articles on a particular topic. And yet, most of the time I was able to infer patterns among the articles that were ready for publication. Often, as was the case with this edition, these patterns transcended international boundaries. They speak to me of current trends and the evolution of future developments in the field, which certainly is important information for all of us. For example, in this issue I have identified three patterns among the seven articles
Mutational analysis defines the 5′-kinase and 3′-phosphatase active sites of T4 polynucleotide kinase

T4 polynucleotide kinase (Pnk) is a bifunctional 5′-kinase/3′-phosphatase that aids in the repair of broken termini in RNA by converting 3′-PO4/5′-OH ends into 3′-OH/5′-PO4 ends, which are then sealed by RNA ligase. Here we have employed site-directed mutagenesis (introducing 31 mutations at 16 positions) to locate candidate catalytic residues within the 301 amino acid Pnk polypeptide. We found that alanine substitutions for Arg38 and Arg126 inactivated the 5′-kinase, but spared the 3′-phosphatase activity. Conservative substitutions of lysine or glutamine for Arg38 and Arg126 did not restore 5′-kinase activity. These results, together with previous mutational studies, highlight a constellation of five amino acids (Lys15, Ser16, Asp35, Arg38 and Arg126) that likely comprise the 5′-kinase active site. Four of these residues are conserved at the active sites of adenylate kinases (Adk), suggesting that Pnk and Adk are structurally and mechanistically related. We found that alanine substitutions for Asp165, Asp167, Arg176, Arg213, Asp254 and Asp278 inactivated the 3′-phosphatase, but spared the 5′-kinase. Conservative substitutions of asparagine or glutamate for Asp165, Asp167 and Asp254 did not revive the 3′-phosphatase activity, nor did lysine substitutions for Arg176 and Arg213. Glutamate in lieu of Asp278 partially restored activity, whereas asparagine had no salutary effect. Alanine substitutions for Arg246 and Arg279 partially inactivated the 3′-phosphatase; the conservative R246K change restored activity, whereas R279K had no benefit. The essential phosphatase residues Asp165 and Asp167 are located within a 165DxDxT169 motif that defines a superfamily of phosphotransferases. Our data suggest that the 3′-phosphatase active site incorporates multiple additional functional groups.
Glenoid labrum: evaluation with MR imaging.

Fifteen patients with shoulder instability and nine asymptomatic volunteers were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The shoulder joint was visualized by means of arthroscopy or surgery in all patients. Ten patients had abnormalities of the glenoid labrum. Two musculoskeletal radiologists interpreted the MR images of the patients and volunteers without knowledge of the clinical history or surgical results. The surgical and arthroscopic results were used as the standard of reference in symptomatic patients. Observer A achieved a sensitivity of 44.4% and a specificity of 66.7%; observer B had a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 66.7%. In addition to the poor sensitivities and specificities, there was substantial intra- and interobserver variability. Assuming that the shoulders of the asymptomatic volunteers were normal, the specificities were 100.0% and 88.9% for observers A and B respectively. In this small study, axial MR imaging was relatively insensitive and nonspecific in the evaluati...
Heuristics for dual coverage in wireless sensor networks

This work proposes efficient heuristics to define number and placement of base-stations for wireless sensor network in a dual coverage scenario. For this purpose, random sensor distributions are generated and comparisons between the proposed heuristics are provided.
Dynamic stabilization of a microring modulator under thermal perturbation

We demonstrate the first active stabilization of a microring-based device within a thermally volatile environment. The proposed design is CMOS integratable and leverages low-speed power monitoring and a feedback loop circuit for dynamic thermal correction.
Categorizing blogger's interests based on short snippets of blog posts

Blogs have become an important medium for people to express opinions and share information on the web. Predicting the interests of bloggers can be beneficial for information retrieval and knowledge discovery in the blogosphere. In this paper, we propose a two-layer classification model to categorize the interests of bloggers based on a set of short snippets collected from their blog posts. Experiments were conducted on a list of bloggers collected from blog directories, with their snippets collected from Google Blog Search. The results show that the proposed method is robust to errors in the lower level and achieve satisfactory performance in categorizing blogger's interests.
A molecular basis for Smad specificity.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and activins are members of the TGFβ superfamily of growth factors, a crucial group of regulators of induction and patterning of embryonic germ layers in metazoa. In early Xenopus embryos, activin, Vg1, and nodal are potent inducers of dorsal mesoderm, whereas BMPs can ventralize mesoderm, repress neural fate, and induce blood differentiation. These characteristic responses rely on ligand-specific signaling pathways, encompassing transmembrane kinase receptors and signal transducers belonging to the Smad family. The overexpression in Xenopus embryos of BMP-activated Smad1 and of activin/Vg1/nodal-activated Smad2 is sufficient to specifically recapitulate ligand responses. In a search for determinants of a Smad specificity code, we have identified two small regions within the conserved carboxyl-domain that are necessary and sufficient for specific Smad action. Swapping both residue clusters (C1 and C2) between Smad1 and Smad2 completely switches Smad effects in vivo. Thus, Smad1 with swapped Smad2 clusters responds specifically to BMP but elicits an activin response, while a Smad2 protein containing the Smad1 clusters is activated by activin and elicits a BMP response. Furthermore, association between Smads and FAST-1, a mediator of mesoderm induction by activin, is dependent upon the presence of the Smad2 C1 sequence. Finally, the Smad1-specific antagonist Smad6 can inhibit a Smad2 molecule harboring Smad1 C1 and C2 sequences. Thus, the C1 and C2 regions of Smads specify the association between Smads and pathway-specific partners, such as FAST-1 and Smad6, and account for activin- and BMP- specific responses in vertebrate embryogenesis. Dev Dyn 1999;214:269–277. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Smooth transition neighborhood graphs for 3D spatial relations

Distance between two relations can be defined by using some metric based on the qualitative or quantitative representation of the relations [1]. However, qualitative distances cannot be expressed by conventional measures. Most differentiating measures are derived from observation and experience in an ad hoc manner. The outcomes are cognitively acceptable only if they match the user's concept of distance. We have designed an algorithm based on heuristics to derive a conceptual neighborhood supporting smooth transitions between the relations. Herein we present the results of applying the algorithm to the well-known region connection calculus, RCC-8, and to an additional model, VRCC-3D+, that considers both 3D connectivity and obscuration.
Multiplicity reactivation of alkylating agent damaged herpes simplex virus (type I) in human cells

Abstract Herpes simplex virus type I (Strain KOS) is inactivated by treatment with MMS, MNNG and HN2 as determined by plaque assay on Vero cell monolayers, or by an infectious center assay with FS2 cells, a human foreskin fibroblast line. At a given dose of MMS and MNNG, survival of the virus was significantly higher at a multiplicity of infection of 1.0 PFU/cell compared to 0.01 PFU/cell. These results indicate that HSV-1 infected human cells are capable of repairing chemically induced lesions by way of multiplicity reactivation. No evidence for multiplicity reactivation with HN2-treated virus could be obtained, however.
Pressure Dependence of the Elastic Constants of Single Crystalline Aluminum Oxide

The six single crystal elastic constants of aluminum oxide have been measured by the ultrasonic pulse superposition method at 25 °C as a function of hydrostatic pressure up to 10 kbar. A linear pressure dependence has been found in all cases. The results are compared and found to agree approximately with theoretical data for the hexagonal close-packed structure with nearest neighbor central forces. They are also used to calculate the pressure dependence of the lattice parameters from Thurston's equation of state. The agreement with directly measured experimental data of Hart and Drickamer is excellent for one, and poor for the other lattice parameter. Die sechs elastischen Konstanten von Aluminiumoxyd-Einkristallen wurden bei 25 °C in Abhangigkeit vom hydrostatischen Druck mittels des Ultraschall-Impuls-Uberlagerungsverfahrens gemessen. In allen Fallen wurde eine lineare Druckabhangigkeit gefunden. Die Ergebnisse konnen angenahert durch die theoretischen Daten fur die hexagonal dichteste Kugelpackung mit Zentralkraften zwischen nachsten Nachbarn beschrieben werden. Sie werden auserdem dazu verwendet, mit Hilfe der Thurstonschen Zustandsgleichung die Druckabhangigkeit der Gitterparameter zu berechnen. Fur einen der beiden Gitterparameter ist die Ubereinstimmung mit direkt gemessenen Werten von Hart und Drickamer sehr gut, fur den anderen jedoch nur durftig.
Parameter Estimation for Probabilistic Document-Retrieval Models.

A probabilistic document-retrieval system may be seen as a sequential learning process, in which the system learns the characteristics of relevant documents, or more formally, it learns the parameters of probability distributions describing the frequencies of feature occurrences in relevant and nonrelevant documents. Probability distributions that may be used to describe the distribution of features include binary and Poisson distributions. Techniques for estimating the parameters of distributions are suggested. We have tested a proposal that parameters of distributions describing the distribution of features in nonrelevant documents be estimated from the parameters of the corresponding distributions of the entire database; the confidence parameter of such an estimate resulting in the highest average precision is given. Tests of several methods for estimating the parameters of distributions describing the distribution of features in relevant documents suggest that small values of the confidence parameter be used in our initial estimates of parameters for relevant documents. © 1988 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Congenital defects among liveborn infants with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Many infants with Down syndrome (DS) have co-occurring congenital malformations requiring intensive surgical and medical management. To anticipate the care needed by these infants, providers and parents require accurate information about birth defects that may be present. This article uses a unique national hospital discharge dataset to identify the rate at which structural birth defects are identified among liveborn infants with DS. METHODS: ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes for data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project were used to identify infants with and without DS, and to classify birth defects. The study population consisted of liveborn infants discharged from the hospital from 1993 through 2002. ORs for the association between the occurrence of congenital malformations and the presence of DS were computed using logistic regression models for survey data. RESULTS: Discharge data included 11,372 DS and 7,884,209 non-DS births, representing national estimates of 43,463 DS and 39,716,469 non-DS births respectively. In addition to congenital heart defects that co-occurred most often in DS infants compared to infants without DS, the risks for gastrointestinal malformations (OR 67.07), genitourinary malformations (OR 3.62), orofacial malformations (OR 5.63), and abdominal wall malformations (OR 3.25) were also elevated in infants with DS. There was no difference in the risk of spina bifida between infants with and without DS. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nationally representative compilation of the co-occurrence of congenital malformations associated with DS. This information may assist providers and parents in their attempts to understand and prepare for the true burden of this condition. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 79:657–663, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cyberpsychology, Human Relationships, and Our Virtual Interiors

Recent research suggests an “Internet paradox”—that a communications technology might reduce social involvement and psychological well–being. In this article I examine some of the limitations of current Internet communication, including those of access, medium, presentation, and choice, that bear on the formation and maintenance of social relationships. I also explore issues central to human meaning in a technological culture—those of the history of the self, of individuality, and of human relationships—and suggest that social forces, technological and otherwise, have increasingly eroded our social interconnectedness and even produced psychological fragmentation. Finally, by considering the psychology of privacy, subjectivity, and intimacy, I look at the historical and developmental processes of internalization by which we construct the “virtual interior” of mind. Understanding this link between human meaning and technological culture, in the form and pattern of our virtual interiors, may help us to see opportunities as well as dangers for the growth of our humanity, our ethics, and our spirituality.
Cognitive-behavioral intervention effects on mood and cortisol during exercise training

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of a time limited cognitive-behavioral stress management program (CBSM) on mood state and serum cortisol among men and women rowers (N=34) undergoing a period of heavy exercise training. After controlling for life-event stress (LES), CBSM was hypothesized to reduce negative mood state and cortisol among rowers during a period of heavy training; mood and cortisol changes over the intervention period were hypothesized to be positively correlated. LES was positively associated with negative affect at study entry. After covariance for LES, rowing athletes randomly assigned to the CBSM group experienced significant reductions in depressed mood, fatigue, and cortisol when compared to those randomized to a control group. Decreases in negative affect and fatigue were also significantly associated with cortisol decrease. These results suggest that CBSM may exert a positive effect on athletes' adaptation to heavy exercise training.
‘Novel alkyl side chain sulfone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogs: A comparison of in vitro antiproliferative activities and in vivo calcemic activities’

Abstract The replacement of a t -butyl group with a trifluoromethyl group has profound effects on the biological profile of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 sulfone analogs. Investigation of whether the improved biological activities are due to steric and electronic factors of the trifluoromethyl group led to the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of two analogous alkyl sulfone molecules, methyl sulfone (AU-16-ene-25-SO 2 –CH 3 ) and isopropyl sulfone (AU-16-ene-25-SO 2 – i -Pr). These alkyl sulfones are sterically comparable to, but electronically very different from a trifluoromethyl group. The syntheses, antiproliferative activities and calcemic activities of these new alkyl sulfones are presented herein. In comparing the in vitro antiproliferative profiles of the new alkyl sulfone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 analogs with the trifluoromethylsulfone and an analogous t -butyl sulfone, the activities increase in the following order: CH 3 t -Bu≅ i -Pr 3 . In contrast to the calcemic t -butyl sulfone, the novel alkyl sulfones and trifluoromethyl sulfone display desirable low calcemic levels.
The Rpb4/7 Module of RNA Polymerase II Is Required for Carbon Catabolite Repressor Protein 4-Negative on TATA (Ccr4-Not) Complex to Promote Elongation

Gene expression relies on the balance between mRNA synthesis in the nucleus and decay in the cytoplasm, processes once thought to be separate. We now know that transcription and decay rates are coordinated, but the factors or molecular mechanisms are unclear. The Ccr4-Not complex regulates multiple stages of gene expression, from mRNA synthesis to protein destruction. One of its functions is to promote RNA polymerase II elongation by reactivating arrested elongation complexes. Here we explored the features of polymerase required for Ccr4-Not to promote elongation and found that the Rpb4/7 module is important for Ccr4-Not to associate with elongation complexes and stimulate elongation. Rpb4/7 has also been implicated in coordinating mRNA synthesis and decay, but its role in this process is controversial. The interplay between Ccr4-Not and Rpb4/7 described here suggests a mechanism for how the cell coordinates mRNA synthesis and decay.
Evaluation of non-adiabatic coupling integrals

Abstract The theoretical treatment of collisions of atoms and ions by means of a coupled state expansion requires the evaluation of matrix elements for the coupling of electronic and nuclear motion. It is shown that a stationary orbital expansion as opposed to the usual adiabatic expansion reduces most of the matrix elements to standard one-electron molecular integrals.
The crystal structure of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 , the x = 1 phase of the superconductor YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x

Black crystals, displaying a micaccous habit, result from heating the 90 K superconducting phase YBa2Cu3O7−x above 1050°C. The crystals are tetragonal, P4/mmm, a = 3.863 (2) A, c = 11.830 (4) A, Z = 1, ρcal = 6.115 g/cm3. The 184 independent single-crystal reflections were used to refine the structure by least squares to R = 0.0374, wR = 0.0347. The structure contains Cu+ in twofold coordination and corrugated layers of Cu2+–O. The Ba2+ is in eightfold coordination between the Cu+ and Cu2+ layers and Y is in eightfold coordination between the Cu2+ layers.
Psychology of the Scientist: LX. Relation of Training about Science to Preference for Objective Psychology

Correlational data suggest that knowledge of the aim, methods, and limitations of science helps students to adopt a more scientific or objective approach to the study of human nature. The total sample of 444 undergraduates included majors in Psychology, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and preprofessional programs. The advanced students scored higher than beginning students for Science Knowledge and Objective Psychology. Advanced Psychology majors, plus Philosophy majors who took a Philosophy of Science course, scored higher than other advanced students on both measures. Curriculum differences seem to explain this finding.
ACCELERATION OF SECONDARY DARK REACTIONS OF INTERMEDIATES DERIVED FROM ADSORBED DYES ON IRRADIATED TIO2 POWDERS

Time-resolved diffuse reflectance flash photolysis has been used to characterize the kinetic behaviors of transients derived from several dyes (cosin Y, thionine, oxazine 725, and nile blue A) adsorbed on titanium dioxide powder (Degussa P-25) suspended in aqueous solutions of various pH. Secondary reaction rates on these powders were compared with those observed on analogous colloidal TiO2 suspensions. Faster secondary reaction rates were observed on the powders, where the reaction surface is pseudo-two dimensional. Neither first nor second order decays were observed; instead, the observed kinetics depended on size distribution of the powder. With N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenylenediamine (TMPD), the decay rate of the singly oxidized cation radical TMPD+ was found to depend on water concentration, thus implicating both direct electron transfer (ET) and OH-radical mediated oxidation pathways and complicating the observed kinetics.
Lame-Duck Legislators and Consideration of the Ship Subsidy Bill of 1922:

The notion that electoral concerns are strong determinants of roll call voting provides the foundation for many theories of legislative behavior. To measure the importance of electoral considerations, the authors analyze a vote held in an environment in which a sizable number of members faced no electoral constraints: a lame-duck session of the House. The authors analyze the vote on a ship subsidy bill considered in a special lame-duck session of the 67th Congress (1922). In particular, the authors are interested in the possibility that lame-duck members were more inclined to support the politically unpopular proposal and whether they were able to translate that support into political benefits, such as presidential appointments. The authors estimate a series of probit models and find that lame-duck Republicans, notably those defeated in their reelection bids, were significantly more likely to vote in favor of final passage.
Case report 500

Diagnostic d'une calcinose tumorale de la hanche chez une femme adulte presentant une tumefaction douloureuse depuis 3 semaines
Formation of superoxide in the reaction of photolytically altered nifedipine--a nitroso compound--with unsaturated membrane lipids.

Abstract Nifedipine, which is unstable at light, is photolytically converted to the corresponding 4-[2′-nitrosophenyl]-pyridine (NTP). We reported earlier that NTP react with unsaturated lipids in a pseudo Diels-Alder reaction, thus forming stable nitroxide radicals. In this paper we report that superoxide is being generated in the latter reaction. Superoxide formation was evidenced by SOD-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction in the reaction of NTP with egg phosphatidylcholine at molar ratio 1:1, and 1:3. In this reaction an ESR-observable nitroxide radical was formed. Maximum nitroxide formation was observed after 90 min; the addition of SOD (93 units/ml) increased the concentration of nitroxide. This effect of SOD was reversed by catalase, indicating involvement of hydrogen peroxide in this effect. The nitroxide radical formation appears to be metal-independent, since neither iron salts, nor an iron chelator, desferal, influenced the nitroxide formation. Although production of superoxide in our system was only observed at high concentrations of NTP and of unsaturated lipids, this reaction may be of potential cytotoxic significance due to redox cycling of the nitroxide/hydroxylamine couple in cellular systems.
Dog Eat Dog: Neo-imperialism in Kim Ki-duk's Address Unknown

Kim Ki-duk's 2001 film Address Unknown presents a political allegory of modern Korea by referencing past traumas through local characters set in a U.S. military base town in 1970. The physical and emotional scars of past violence reveal current victimization re-enacting social injustice. Cold War militarism and the U.S. presence shatter the lives of three young people and the community as they internalize the destruction of their lives.
Growth Control by Committee: Intercellular Junctions, Cell Polarity, and the Cytoskeleton Regulate Hippo Signaling

Over the past decade, the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway has emerged as a central regulator of growth in epithelial tissues. Research in Drosophila and in mammals has shown that this kinase signaling cascade regulates the activity of the transcriptional coactivator and oncoprotein Yorkie/Yap. In this review, we discuss recent findings that emphasize the cell cortex-specifically the actin cytoskeleton, intercellular junctions, and protein complexes that determine cell polarity-as a key site for Hippo pathway regulation. We also highlight where additional research is needed to integrate known functional interactions between Hippo pathway components.
Why Is Tipping "Cheaper by the Bunch": Diffusion or Just Deserts?:

It was concluded in a recently-published study that the percentage amount of a restaurant tip decreases as the number of persons at a table increases,because of diffusion of responsibility. The validity of this explanation is questioned. Theoretical and methodological alternatives are suggested.
PUTTING AND KEEPING STUDENTS ON TRACK: TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL OF COLLEGE PERSISTENCE AND GOAL ATTAINMENT

Despite near universal acceptance in the value of higher education for individuals and society, college persistence rates in 4-year and community colleges are low. Only 57% of students who began college at a 4–year institution in 2001 had completed a bachelor's degree by 2007, and only 28% of community college students who started school in 2005 had completed a degree 4 years later (National Center for Education Statistics, 2011). To address this problem, this paper identified 3 goals. The first was to review the extant literature on persistence in higher education. The second was to develop a working model of persistence informed by our literature review. This resulted in a model centered on 3 basic categories of variables: those that put you on track towards persistence, those that push you off track, and those that keep you on track. The final goal was to outline a research agenda to develop student-centered assessments informed by our model, and we conclude with a discussion of this agenda.