cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct binding of estradiol enhances Slack (sequence like a calcium-activated potassium channel) channels' activity.

Abstract 17β-Estradiol (E2) is a major neuroregulator, exerting both genomic and non-genomic actions. E2 regulation of Slack (sequence like a calcium-activated potassium channel) potassium channels has not been identified in the CNS. We demonstrate E2-induced activation of Slack channels, which display a unitary conductance of about 60 pS, are inhibited by intracellular calcium, and are abundantly expressed in the nervous system. In lipid bilayers derived from rat cortical neuronal membranes, E2 increases Slack open probability and appears to decrease channel inactivation. Additionally, E2 binds to the Slack channel and activates outward currents in human embryonic kidney-293 cells that express Slack channels but not classical estrogen receptors (i.e. ERα or ERβ). Neither E2-induced activation nor the binding intensity of E2 to the Slack channel is blocked by tamoxifen, an ER antagonist/agonist. Thus, E2 activates a potassium channel, Slack , through a non-traditional membrane binding site, adding to known non-genomic mechanisms by which E2 exerts pharmacological and toxicological effects in the CNS.
Fabrication and characterization of filled hydrogel particles based on sequential segregative and aggregative biopolymer phase separation

Abstract In this study, filled hydrogel particles were created based on the ability of proteins and ionic polysaccharides to phase separate through both aggregative (complexation) and segregative (incompatibility) mechanisms. At pH 7, a mixture of 3% (w/w) high-methoxy pectin and 3% (w/w) sodium caseinate phase separated through a segregative mechanism. Following centrifugation, the phase separated system consisted of an upper pectin-rich phase and a lower casein-rich phase. Casein-coated lipid droplets added to the phase separated pectin/caseinate system partitioning into the lower casein-rich phase. This was attributed to a reduction in the unfavorable osmotic stress in this phase associated with biopolymer depletion. When shear was applied this system formed an oil-in-water-in-water (O/W 1 /W 2 ) emulsion consisting of oil droplets (O) contained within a casein-rich watery dispersed phase (W 1 ) suspended in a pectin-rich watery continuous phase (W 2 ). Acidification of the O/W 1 /W 2 system from pH 7–5 promoted adsorption of pectin around the casein-rich W 1 droplets, resulting in the formation of filled hydrogel particles ( d = 3–4 μm) that remained stable to aggregation or dissociation when stored for 24 h at ambient temperature. These particles may be useful as encapsulation and delivery systems for lipophilic components in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Modeling caffeine concentrations with the Stanford Caffeine Questionnaire: preliminary evidence for an interaction of chronotype with the effects of caffeine on sleep.

Abstract Objective To examine the validity of a novel caffeine intake questionnaire and to examine the effects of caffeine on sleep in college students. Methods One-week, ad libitum behavior of 50 university students (28 female, 22 male; aged 20.9±1.78years) was examined with sleep logs, wrist actigraphy, and a novel daily questionnaire assessing caffeine intake at different times of day. Saliva samples were collected for caffeine assessment (questionnaire validation) and DNA extraction, and for analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the adenosine receptor 2A ( ADORA2A ) gene. Results The caffeine questionnaire was able to accurately predict salivary concentrations of caffeine ( R 2 =0.41, P R 2 =0.49; P R 2 =0.16; P R 2 =0.00098; P =0.13, ANOVA). Using multivariate modeling methods we found that the ADORA2A genotype did not moderate the effects of caffeine on WASO, but did independently alter WASO such that those with the CC genotype had nearly three-times as much WASO as those with CT or TT. Conclusions Our questionnaire was able to accurately predict salivary caffeine concentrations and helped to describe a novel relationship between the effects of caffeine on sleep and genotype and chronotype.
Negative-Sequence Reactance of Synchronous Machines

A theoretical analysis of the method proposed by the AIEE committee on electrical machinery for measuring the negative-sequence reactance of synchronous machines is presented in this paper. The analysis proves that the method leads to a correct measurement of the negative-sequence reactance for the operating condition most frequently met in applying the method of symmetrical components, but that the method of measurement does not determine the correct negative-sequence reactance of the machine for the operating conditions used in the proposed AIEE test. The results of experimental tests are given to verify the theory presented.
Green Polymer Chemistry Using Nature's Catalysts : Enzymes

The use of enzymes as catalysts for organic synthesis has become an increasingly attractive alternative to conventional chemical catalysis. Enzymes offer several advantages including high selectivity, ability to operate under mild conditions, catalyst recyclability, and biocompatibility. Although there are many examples in the literature involving enzymes for the synthesis of polymers, our search showed that very little had been done in the area of polymer modification. In this article, we will discuss enzyme catalysis in general and highlight our recent results concerning precision polymer functionalization using enzymatic catalysis―"green polymer chemistry.".
Five Attributes of a Teacher Education Program Knowledge Base

Prominent researchers in teaching and teacher education have advocated the development of a formal knowledge base to guide program design in teacher education. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education's recent adoption of an accreditation standard requiring that teacher education programs be based on essential knowledge forces teacher educators to specify the knowledge base for their programs. To assist teacher educators in defining a knowledge base for their programs, five attributes of a knowledge base are described: a set of beliefs, an organiz ing theme, program outcomes and evaluation processes, a bibliography of essential references, and a program model.
Germanium and Silicon Nanocrystal Thin-Film Field-Effect Transistors from Solution

Germanium and silicon have lagged behind more popular II-VI and IV-VI semiconductor materials in the emerging field of semiconductor nanocrystal thin film devices. We report germanium and silicon nanocrystal field-effect transistors fabricated by synthesizing nanocrystals in a plasma, transferring them into solution, and casting thin films. Germanium devices show n-type, ambipolar, or p-type behavior depending on annealing temperature with electron and hole mobilities as large as 0.02 and 0.006 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), respectively. Silicon devices exhibit n-type behavior without any postdeposition treatment, but are plagued by poor film morphology.
ANALYSIS OF DNA SEQUENCING REACTION PRODUCTS MADE WITH 7-HALO-7-DEAZA-2'-DEOXYGUANOSINE-5'-TRIPHOSPHATE

Abstract 7-Chloro- and 7- Iodo-7-Deaza-2′-Deoxyguanosine-5′-Triphosphates were employed as substrates replacing dGTP, dITP, or 7-Deaza-2′-Deoxyguanosine-5′-Triphosphate in sequencing reactions with Thermo SequenaseTM. Analysis of the reaction products by denaturing gel electrophoresis indicates DNA containing these halogenated analogs can form strong secondary structures.
Case studies of thunderstorms initiated by radar-observed convergence lines

Abstract This study analyzes two of the many convergent windshift lines that occurred during the Convection Initiation Project in eastern Colorado during the summer of 1984. The coincidence of these boundaries with the initiation of convection is examined by means or Doppler radar observations, surface mesonet data, and chase team verifications and measurement. The surface mesonet data and chase team measurements in both cases presented verify that a sensitive Doppler radar can effectively detect windshift lines. It is also shown that in both cases the convergent windshift lines were directly associated with thunderstorm development and were likely a primary forcing mechanism.
Cytoskeletal protein 4.1G is a binding partner of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1α

Recent evidence suggests that cytoskeletal proteins play important roles in the clustering and anchoring of glutamate receptors to the cell surface membrane. To examine further this issue, we tested for direct interactions between the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1alpha (mGlu1alpha) and 4.1G, which is a member of the erythrocyte membrane, cytoskeletal protein 4.1 family. First, co-localization of 4.1G and mGlu1alpha was observed in cultured hippocampal neurons. Second, in transiently transfected HEK 293 cells and in whole rat brain tissue, direct interactions between mGlu1alpha and 4.1G were observed. Third, we were able to identify the C-terminal tail of mGlu1alpha as an essential region for mGlu1alpha-4.1G interactions. Fourth, 4.1 G influences mGlu1alpha-mediated cAMP accumulation. Finally, we found that 4.1G increases the ligand-binding ability of mGlu1alpha and alters its cellular distribution. These observations identify 4.1G as a novel binding partner of mGlu1alpha that can regulate the action of mGlu1alpha.
PlanetP: using gossiping to build content addressable peer-to-peer information sharing communities

We introduce PlanetP, content addressable publish/subscribe service for unstructured peer-to-peer (P2P) communities. PlanetP supports content addressing by providing: (1) a gossiping layer used to globally replicate a membership directory and an extremely compact content index; and (2) a completely distributed content search and ranking algorithm that help users find the most relevant information. PlanetP is a simple, yet powerful system for sharing information. PlanetP is simple because each peer must only perform a periodic, randomized, point-to-point message exchange with other peers. PlanetP is powerful because it maintains a globally content-ranked view of the shared data. Using simulation and a prototype implementation, we show that PlanetP achieves ranking accuracy that is comparable to a centralized solution and scales easily to several thousand peers while remaining resilient to rapid membership changes.
Deletion of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteasomal ATPase Homologue Gene Produces a Slow-Growing Strain That Persists in Host Tissues

The in vivo rate of proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, has been linked to the rate of progression and severity of disease. Here, we report that deletion of the gene MT2175 (Rv2115c), a putative mycobacterial proteasome–associated AAA-ATPase, leads to a reduction in the growth rate of M. tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo. Despite the reduced growth, the mutant persisted, with slow and gradual clearance in mouse lungs. The mutant elicited reduced levels of interferon-g production in the lungs and, when used as an immunizing agent, provided significant protection against challenge with a virulent strain of M. tuberculosis. Expression of the genes lat and MT3159 were highly up-regulated in the mutant. Thus, loss of MT2175 slows both in vitro and in vivo growth rates and compromises the lethality of M. tuberculosis in mice but has a minimal impact on the organism’s ability to persist in host tissues.
Incremental healthcare utilization and expenditures for allergic rhinitis in the United States.

Objective: Determine incremental increases in healthcare expenditures and utilization associated with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: Patients reporting a diagnosis of AR were extracted from the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey medical conditions file and linked to the consolidated expenditures file. AR patients were then compared to non-AR patients determining differences in healthcare utilization: office visits, emergency facility visits, and prescriptions filled, as well as differences in healthcare expenditures: total healthcare costs, office-based costs, prescription medication costs, and self-expenditures using demographically and comorbidity adjusted multivariate models. Results: An estimated 17.8 ± 0.72 million adult patients reported AR in 2007 (7.9 ± 0.3% of the U.S. population). The additional incremental healthcare utilizations associated with AR relative to non-AR patients for office visits, emergency facility visits, and number of prescriptions filled were 3.25 ± 0.40, 0.01 ± 0.02, and 8.95 ± 0.80, respectively (P < .001, .787, and <.001, respectively). Similarly, additional healthcare expenditures associated with AR for total healthcare expenses, office-based visit expenditures, prescription expenditures, and self-expenditures were $1,492 ± 346, $461 ± 122, $876 ± 126, and $168 ± 25, respectively (all P < 0.001). Conclusions: AR is associated with substantial incremental increases in healthcare utilization and expenditures due to increases in office-based visits and prescription expenditures. As a commonly prevalent and costly disease, AR would be a prime target for guideline development and standardization of care. Laryngoscope, 2011
Modeling finger development and persistence in initially dry porous media

Abstract The mechanism for the growth and persistence of gravity-driven fingered flow of water in initially dry porous media is described. A Galerkin finite element solution of the two-dimensional Richards equation with the associated parameter equations for capillary hysteresis in the water retention function is presented. A scheme for upstream weighting of internodal unsaturated hydraulic conductivities is applied to limit smearing of steep wetting fronts. The growth and persistence of a single finger in an initially dry porous media is simulated using this numerical solution scheme. To adequately simulate fingered flow, it was found that the upstream weighting factor had to be negative, meaning that the internodal unsaturated hydraulic conductivities were weighted more by the downstream node. It is shown that the growth and persistence of a finger is sensitive to the character of the porous media water retention functions. For porous media where the water-entry capillary pressure on the main wetting function is less than the air-entry capillary pressure on the main drainage function, a small perturbation will grow into a finger, and during sequential drainage and wetting the finger will persist. In contrast, for porous media where the water-entry capillary pressure on the main wetting function is greater than the air-entry capillary pressure on the main drainage function, the same small perturbation will dissipate by capillary diffusion. The finger widths derived from the numerical simulation are similar to those predicted by analytical theory.
Efficient Program Partitioning Based on Compiler Controlled Communication

In this paper, we present an efficient framework for intraprocedural performance based program partitioning for sequential loop nests. Due to the limitations of static dependence analysis especially in the inter-procedural sense, many loop nests are identified as sequential but available task parallelism amongst them could be potentially exploited. Since this available parallelism is quite limited, performance based program analysis and partitioning which carefully analyzes the interaction between the loop nests and the underlying architectural characteristics must be undertaken to effectively use this parallelism.
Integrating Didactic and Experiential Aging Curricula

Abstract Effectively integrating classroom teaching and practice in the profession has been a concern of educators for years. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in the field of gerontology. This paper presents a model that was used successfully with students who evidenced an interest in nursing home social work.
The Robustness of Critical Period Effects in Second Language Acquisition.

This study was designed to test the Fundamental Difference Hypothesis (Bley-Vroman, 1988), which states that, whereas children are known to learn language almost completely through (implicit) domain-specific mechanisms, adults have largely lost the ability to learn a language without reflecting on its structure and have to use alternative mechanisms, drawing especially on their problem-solving capacities, to learn a second language. The hypothesis implies that only adults with a high level of verbal analytical ability will reach near-native competence in their second language, but that this ability will not be a significant predictor of success for childhood second language acquisition. A study with 57 adult Hungarian-speaking immigrants confirmed the hypothesis in the sense that very few adult immigrants scored within the range of child arrivals on a grammaticality judgment test, and that the few who did had high levels of verbal analytical ability; this ability was not a significant predictor for childhood arrivals. This study replicates the findings of Johnson and Newport (1989) and provides an explanation for the apparent exceptions in their study. These findings lead to a reconceptualization of the Critical Period Hypothesis: If the scope of this hypothesis is limited to implicit learning mechanisms, then it appears that there may be no exceptions to the age effects that the hypothesis seeks to explain.
Effect of agent decommitment in a target tracking domain

This research investigates decommitment in a collaborative agent society, in which agents make decisions and act in a manner which maximizes the global benefit. One of those decisions may be to not honor a commitment it had previously agreed to perform; that is, to decommit.
Frequency Response of Tires Using the Point Contact Theory

The theoretical frequency response of a rolling tire is obtained here for angular oscillations about a vertical axis through the axle in the wheel plane. The point contact theory, also known as the DeCarbon or Moreland theory, is used to describe the side (cornering) force and the torsional (self-aligning) moment as a function of the oscillating frequency. These results are compared to previously published experimental results and found to show reasonable correlation especially when compared to theoretical results obtained using the von Schlippe or stretched string theory. It is noted, both from experimental and theoretical results, that the frequency response is considerably influenced by rolling speed which is contrary to implications given in previous papers. It is also pointed out that an upper limit of the forcing frequency exists above which the empirical data is not likely to represent natural shimmy oscillations. The results indicate that the point contact theory is adequate for use in shimmy analysis over both the tire yaw and structural-torsion shimmy modes of vibration if appropriate tire parameters are used. Nomenclature b = half width of tire footprint or contact area c = tire yaw coefficient CL = tire lateral damping coefficient ct = tire time constant D = tire diameter Airum = drum diameter d = effective tire width F = magnitude of dimensionless, complex lateral force ampli_ tude
A practical network intrusion detection system for inline FPGAs on 10GbE network adapters

A network intrusion detection system (NIDS), such as SNORT, analyzes incoming packets to identify potential security threats. Pattern matching is arguably the most important and most computationally intensive component of a NIDS. Software-based NIDS implementations drop up to 90% of packets during increased network load even at lower network bandwidth. We propose an alternative hybrid-NIDS that couples an FPGA with a network adapter to provide hardware support for pattern matching and software support for post processing. The proposed system, SFAOENIDS, offers an extensible open-source NIDS for Solarflare AOE devices. The pattern matching engine-the primary component of the hardware architecture was designed based on the requirements of typical NIDS implementations. In testing on a real network environment, the SFAOENIDS hardware implementation, operating at 200 MHz, handles a 10Gbps data rate without dropping packets while simultaneously minimizing the server CPU load.
Configurations of SO(3) monopoles with multiple magnetic charge

Abstract In this paper we consider configurations of monopoles with multiple magnetic charge in nonabelian gauge theory. Explicit gauge transformations are constructed which eliminate the string singularities for single monopoles of multiple magnetic charge, and for an arbitrary number of monopoles lying along a line. The question of finding nonsingular solutions is discussed.
Fault contribution trees for product families

Software fault tree analysis (SFTA) provides a structured way to reason about the safety or reliability of a software system. As such, SFTA is widely used in mission-critical applications to investigate contributing causes to possible hazards or failures. In this paper we propose an approach similar to SFTA for product families. The contribution of the paper is to define a top-down, tree-based analysis technique, the fault contribution tree analysis (FCTA), that operates on the results of a product-family domain analysis and to describe a method by which the FCTA of a product family can serve as a reusable asset in the building of new members of the family. Specifically, we describe both the construction of the fault contribution tree for a product family (domain engineering) and the reuse of the appropriately pruned fault contribution tree for the analysis of a new member of the product family (application engineering). The paper describes several challenges to this approach, including evolution of the product family, handling of subfamilies, and distinguishing the limits of safe reuse of the FCTA, and suggests partial solutions to these issues as well as directions for future work. The paper illustrates the techniques with examples from applications to two product families.
Motif Tool Manager

Motivation: Motif Tool Manager is a web-based framework for comparing and combining different approaches to discover novel DNA motifs. It comes with a set of five well-known approaches to motif discovery. It provides an easy mechanism for adding new motif finding tools to the framework through a web-interface and a minimal setup of the tools on the server. Users can execute the tools through the web-based framework and compare results from such executions. The framework provides a basic mechanism for identifying the most similar motif candidates found by a majority of themotif finding tools. Availability: http://cetus.cs.memphis.edu/motif Contact: vphan@memphis.edu
Reliability of SiGe HBTs for Power Amplifiers—Part II: Underlying Physics and Damage Modeling

This paper presents the underlying physics and modeling of aggressively biased cascode SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor power amplifier (PA) cores under large-signal operating conditions. The damage characteristics observed during RF operation, particularly the base leakage and collector-base (CB) junction failure, are investigated in detail using dc stress methods. Base leakage was characterized across geometry, voltage, and current conditions, and a damage model is purposed based on Shockley-Read-Hall theory and the reaction-diffusion equation. This model is used to predict damage under aggressive RF operations, in order to extract the operational lifetime of SiGe PAs. The onset of CB junction failure was modeled using the current-gain collapse model, and it accurately captures the failure threshold current I Fail observed during RF stress.
Guilt-by-association feature selection: Identifying biomarkers from proteomic profiles

In recent years, proteomic profiling by mass spectrometry has opened up a new realm of methods for identifying potential biomarkers. Mass spectrometry data, like other proteomic and genomic data, are challenging to analyze because of their high dimensionality and the availability of few samples. Hence, feature selection is extremely important because it directly provides a list of potential biomarkers by choosing a subset of effective features that separate diseased samples from healthy ones. The rule of thumb for feature selection is that features must be discriminant and independent for the best separation of the two groups. However, in general, existing feature selection algorithms only take into account the discrimination ability of features. In this paper, we present a novel method for feature selection, guilt-by-association feature selection (GBA-FS). The algorithm makes it possible to select features that are independent as well as discriminant. After measuring similarities between features, the algorithm groups together similar features using a clustering algorithm, and selects the best representative feature from each group. As a result, it produces a list of discriminant and independent features. The efficacy of GBA-FS was extensively tested on two real-world SELDI TOF data sets. The experimental results demonstrate that GBA-FS assists in selecting more independent features as compared to a common filter type feature selection method, the t test. The results also show that GBA-FS can be used to deconvolve multiply charged states of the same protein molecules. As GBA-FS successfully identifies feature groups with similar mass values, it can also be employed as an alternative to peak detection for preprocessing the mass spectrometry data.
The Approach of a Neuron Population Firing Rate to a New Equilibrium: An Exact Theoretical Result

The response of a noninteracting population of identical neurons to a step change in steady synaptic input can be analytically calculated exactly from the dynamical equation that describes the population’s evolution in time. Here, for model integrate-and-fire neurons that undergo a fixed finite upward shift in voltage in response to each synaptic event, we compare the theoretical prediction with the result of a direct simulation of 90,000 model neurons. The degree of agreement supports the applicability of the population dynamics equation. The theoretical prediction is in the form of a series. Convergence is rapid, so that the full result is well approximated by a few terms.
THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF ETHNOGRAPHIC DATA IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

Educational research has long attended to quantifying dependent variables as a way of describing learning outcomes. It is in the domain of the independent variable, or the interactions and characteristics of the classroom and the teaching-learning participants as a casual factor, that we have been weakest. Techniques are emerging which can help to identify independent variables. What are some of these, and how can they be applied to gathering the qualitative data important to the identifications of such variables?
Role of olfaction in the conditioned sucrose preference of sweet-ageusic T1R3 knockout mice.

Prior work has shown that sweet taste–deficient T1R3 knockout (KO) mice developed significant sucrose preferences when given long-term sugar versus water tests. The current study investigated the role of olfaction in this experience-conditioned sucrose preference. T1R3 KO and C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were given 24-h sugar versus water tests with ascending concentrations of sucrose (0.5–32%), after which the mice received olfactory bulbectomy (OBx) or sham surgery. When retested with sucrose, the Sham-KO mice preferred all sugar solutions to water, although their intake and preference were less than those of the Sham-WT mice. The OBx-KO mice, in contrast, showed no or weak preferences for dilute sucrose solutions (0.5–8%) although they strongly preferred concentrated sugar solutions (16–32%). OBx-WT mice displayed only a partial reduction in their sucrose preference. Although the OBx mice of both genotypes underconsumed dilute sucrose solutions relative to Sham mice, they overconsumed concentrated sucrose. These results indicate that olfaction plays a critical role in the conditioned preference of T1R3 KO mice for dilute sugar solutions. Further, the fact that OBx-KO mice preferred concentrated sucrose solutions in the absence of normal sweet taste and olfactory sensations underscores the potency of postoral nutritive signals in promoting ingestion.
PRECISION POINTING CONTROL OF AGILE SPACECRAFT USING SINGLE GIMBAL CONTROL MOMENT GYROSCOPES

Agile spacecraft control requires high torque on demand, with low power and emitted disturbance, to maintain the attitude control, manage the spacecraft momentum, and provide structural disturbance rejection. These demands almost exclusively call for control moment gyroscopes to produce the actuation torque. Single gimbal control moment gyroscopes have been shown to have significant advantages over double gimbal control moment gyroscopes in this role. The advantage of torque amplification translates to power, cost, weight, and performance improvements over double gimbal control moment gyroscopes. However, the use of either type in agile spacecraft gives rise to problems in their implementation; 1) disturbances manifested in the gyroscope gimbal actuators are multiplied and transmitted to the spacecraft, and 2) the presence of singularities prevents utilization of the gyroscope array to its maximum potential. Linear and nonlinear external disturbances have been shown to be easily eliminated utilizing disturbance rejection filters. In addition, non-linear disturbances caused by the control moment gyroscopes that are feed-forward in nature have been shown to be mitigated using the same approach; however, nonlinear disturbances in the feedback loop are more pervasive in nature and are often more difficult to reject. This paper explores rejection of nonlinear disturbances and includes a discussion of control moment gyroscopes array configuration based on singularity and momentum considerations.
Hard-luck Scheele.

Carl Wilhelm Scheele had a hand in the discovery of at least six elements and contributed to the early development of chemistry in numerous other ways. Bruce Gibb looks into Scheele's story and considers why he doesn't get the credit that he deserves.
Mapping Time-to-Contact and Time-to-Peak Effector Velocity in Interceptive Striking Tasks

Purpose: This study investigated perception and action coupling as reflected in a mapping between time-to-contact (TTC) and time-to-peak-velocity (TPV) for children and youths aged 7 to 8, 11 to 12, and 15 to 16 years old and adults aged 19 to 20 years old performing a task that allowed the participants to self-select the interception position in a baseball-like batting game on a graphics tablet. Method: The moving object to be hit for distance had curvilinear trajectories toward the hitter that were determined by simulated weightings of gravity and velocity. Results: Successful interceptions in all age groups were characterized by a mapping of mean TTC and TPV and a higher correlation of these variables with increasing age. The object was hit at approximately 90% TPV so that the implement was still accelerating on contact—an adaptive task feature for a striking distance criterion. Conclusion: The results are consistent with theories of perception–action coupling that are congruent with the ecological and...
Convergence of Human Genetics and Animal Studies: Gene Therapy for X-Linked Retinoschisis

Retinoschisis is an X-linked recessive genetic disease that leads to vision loss in males. X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) typically affects young males; however, progressive vision loss continues throughout life. Although discovered in 1898 by Haas in two brothers, the underlying biology leading to blindness has become apparent only in the last 15 years with the advancement of human genetic analyses, generation of XLRS animal models, and the development of ocular monitoring methods such as the electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography. It is now recognized that retinoschisis results from cyst formations within the retinal layers that interrupt normal visual neurosignaling and compromise structural integrity. Mutations in the human retinoschisin gene have been correlated with disease severity of the human XLRS phenotype. Introduction of a normal human retinoschisin cDNA into retinoschisin knockout mice restores retinal structure and improves neural function, providing proof-of-concept that gene replacement therapy is a plausible treatment for XLRS.
Can a Criminal Justice Alcohol Abstention Programme with Swift, Certain, and Modest Sanctions (24/7 Sobriety) Reduce Population Mortality?: A Retrospective Observational Study

Summary Background In the UK and USA, various jurisdictions have launched new approaches for managing alcohol-involved offenders that might have public health implications. These programmes require participants to abstain from alcohol and submit to frequent alcohol testing with swift, certain, and modest sanctions for violations, with the aim to reduce crime and keep alcohol-involved offenders in the community. In this study we examine whether the 24/7 Sobriety programme in South Dakota, USA—the largest such programme to date—is associated with reductions in mortality. Methods With a differences-in-differences design, we used variation in the timing of 24/7 Sobriety implementation across South Dakota counties between 2005 and 2011 to estimate the association between programme introduction and county-level mortality. We used monthly, county-level, aggregate counts for mortality from January, 2000, to June, 2011. We assessed total deaths, and deaths due to external injuries, circulatory disorders, digestive disorders, and cancer (as a potential placebo). Findings Between January, 2005, and June, 2011, 16 932 people (about 3% of the adult population) participated in the 24/7 Sobriety programme. The analysis was based on a sample size of 9 108 county-month observations (ie, 66 counties × 12 months × 11·5 years). Implementation of 24/7 Sobriety was associated with a 4·2% (95% CI 1·5–6·9) reduction in all-cause adult mortality, with the largest associations among women (8·0%, 95% CI 3·9–11·8) and individuals older than 40 years (4·3%, 95% CI 1·4–7·0). Associations were most evident among circulatory disorders. Interpretation 24/7 Sobriety might have public health benefits, which could extend beyond individuals directly enrolled in the programme. However, further research, including randomised controlled trials and analyses of individual-level data, is needed to corroborate the finding, reassess the size of these associations, and gain insight into causal mechanisms. Should a negative association be replicated, it might represent a substantial advance in our understanding of how criminal justice interventions could help shape public health. Funding National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US National Institutes of Health.
Statistical Analysis of Risk Coefficients for NYSE Stocks

The intertemporal stability of the standard deviations and the beta coefficients for the NYSE stocks are analyzed. The beta systematic risk is decomposed in terms of the asset’s underlying (i) standard deviation, and (ii) the asset’s correlation with the market. Then elasticities between the beta systematic risk statistic and (i) the assets’ standard deviations, and (ii) the assets’ correlations with the market are estimated cross-sectionally across 750 NYSE stocks. However, the 750 stocks’ standard deviations and correlations with the market are measured over a sample period which precedes the sample period used to measure the beta, in order to measure the sources of intertemporal change in the beta. Next, the intertemporal regression tendencies of betas, standard deviations and correlations with the market are each evaluated individually. Finally, transition matrices are presented for betas, standard deviations, and correlations with the market. Mathematical and empirical evidence shows that unstable covariances are the primary cause of changing betas and changing correlations with the market. In contrast to the beta, the standard deviation appears to be fairly stable intertemporally.
Influence of Hydration State on Permeation Testing and Vapor Transport Properties of Protective Clothing Layers

Protective clothing systems composed of permselective polymer film laminates are an alternative to standard air-permeable garments based on activated carbon. These polymer layers are designed with high water vapor permeation rates and low permeation of chemical warfare agents. Polymer films that have a significant water vapor flux usually also have an affinity for water, and will hydrate and swell significantly at high humidity levels. The polymer film’s increase in water content has the potential to affect the transport rate of chemical warfare agents in vapor and liquid form, and usually also has a large effect on the intrinsic water vapor permeability of the membrane.
Predictors of survival in WHO-defined hypereosinophilic syndrome and idiopathic hypereosinophilia and the role of next-generation sequencing.

Predictors of survival in WHO-defined hypereosinophilic syndrome and idiopathic hypereosinophilia and the role of next-generation sequencing
European Red Mite and Two-Spotted Spider Mite Control on Apple Trees1

In a replicated experiment, 25 acaricide treatments were tested for effectiveness in control of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on apple trees. Plictran® (tricycohexyltin hydroxide), Azodrin® (3-hydroxyl- N -methyl-cis-crotonamide dimethyl phosphate), CS-19851 (isopropyl 4, 4'-dibromobenzilate), NC-5016 (phenyl 5,6-dichloro-2-(trifluormethyl)-1-benzimidazolecarboxatate), and Tranid® ( exo -5-chloro-6-oxo-endo-2-norbornanecarbonitrile O -(methylcarbamoyl) oxime) were highly effective in control of both species of mites. Azodrin, however, caused cracking of Golden Delicious apples. Omite® (2- (p-tert -butylphenoxy) cycohexyl 2-propynyl sulfite) EC was as effective as the former group of acaricides in control of the European red mite, but it was not quite so effective in contral of the two-spotted spider mite.
IgE in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease

Traditionally, the concept of allergy implied an abnormal response to an otherwise benign agent (eg, pollen or food), with an easily identifiable relationship between exposure and disease. However, there are syndromes in which the relationship between exposure to the relevant allergen and the "allergic" disease is not clear. In these cases the presence of specific IgE antibodies can play an important role in identifying the relevant allergen and provide a guide to therapy. Good examples include chronic asthma and exposure to perennial indoor allergens and asthma related to fungal infection. Finally, we are increasingly aware of forms of food allergy in which the relationship between exposure and the disease is delayed by 3 to 6 hours or longer. Three forms of food allergy with distinct clinical features are now well recognized. These are (1) anaphylactic sensitivity to peanut, (2) eosinophilic esophagitis related to cow's milk, and (3) delayed anaphylaxis to red meat. In these syndromes the immunology of the response is dramatically different. Peanut and galactose α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) are characterized by high- or very high-titer IgE antibodies for Ara h 2 and alpha-gal, respectively. By contrast, eosinophilic esophagitis is characterized by low levels of IgE specific for milk proteins with high- or very high-titer IgG4 to the same proteins. The recent finding is that patients with alpha-gal syndrome do not have detectable IgG4 to the oligosaccharide. Thus the serum results not only identify relevant antigens but also provide a guide to the nature of the immune response.
Analysis of SF_6 Gas Composition in Two Insulation Faults

The usage of gas chromatography method with infrared spectrometry method to analyze SF6decomposition products can detect the abnormal operation status. The joint diagnosis technology can realize the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 14 kinds of SF6decomposition products. Data from two methods can also be verified and compared mutually,which can provide reliable and accurate basis for the judgment of device status. The method is used to analyze the status of SF6electric device,and it found two devices has abnormal SF6decomposition products. The disassembling inspection results show that the diagnosis is correct.
A diverged homeobox gene is involved in the proliferation and lineage commitment of human hematopoietic progenitors and highly expressed in acute myelogenous leukemia

HB24 is a diverged homeobox gene known to be expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells. We show here that the inhibition of HB24 expression in CD34+ bone marrow cells via antisense (AS) oligonucleotides impaired the proliferation of these cells in response to interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The treatment of CD34+ cells with HB24 AS oligonucleotides also reduced the levels of c- fos, c-myc, c-myb, cyclin B, and p34cdc2 messenger RNAs compared with cells treated with control oligonucleotides. Conversely, the transient transfection of HB24 into a subpopulation of CD34 cells inhibited their differentiation into mature hematopoietic cell types. In addition, HB24 messenger RNA transcripts were elevated in bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia compared with normal controls. These data suggest that HB24 is an important transcription factor during hematopoietic progenitor proliferation and that differentiation to specific cell types requires its downregulation. Furthermore, dysregulated expression of HB24 impairs the normal differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors and may contribute to leukemogenesis.
Reverse Transcription of Threose Nucleic Acid by a Naturally Occurring DNA Polymerase

Recent advances in polymerase engineering have enabled the replication of xenonucleic acid (XNA) polymers with backbone structures distinct from those found in nature. By introducing a selective amplification step into the replication cycle, functional XNA molecules have been isolated by in vitro selection with binding and catalytic activity. Despite these successes, coding and decoding genetic information in XNA polymers remains limited by the fidelity and catalytic efficiency of engineered XNA polymerases. In particular, the process of reverse transcribing XNA back into DNA for amplification by PCR has been problematic. Here, we show that Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Bst) DNA polymerase I functions as an efficient and faithful threose nucleic acid (TNA)-dependent DNA polymerase. Bst DNA polymerase generates ∼twofold more cDNA with threefold fewer mutations than Superscript II (SSII), which was previously the best TNA reverse transcriptase. Notably, Bst also functions under standard magnesium-dependent conditions, whereas SSII requires manganese ions to relax the enzyme's substrate specificity. We further demonstrate that Bst DNA polymerase can support the in vitro selection of TNA aptamers by evolving a TNA aptamer to human α-thrombin.
PRESENT STATUS OF STRONG ELECTROMAGNETIC AND WEAK INTERACTIONS

Rather than summarizing the present situation in the theory of aces, or the latest version of Cabibbo's theory, I shall review our knowledge of symmetries in general. Therefore, I shall not merely give a summary of this course, but rather a summary covering the entire field of physics.
Caveolin-1 regulation of disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia.

The present study is the first to demonstrate that caveolin-1 can regulate DISC1 expression in neuronal models. Furthermore, the findings are consistent across three separate neuronal models that i...
Allgemeine Prinzipien der Kolon- und Rektumchirurgie

Zum Beschwerdebild der Erkrankungen am Kolon gehoren rektaler Blutabgang, Stuhlunregelmasigkeiten, Unterbauchschmerzen, Blahungen, Ubelkeit und Erbrechen, Tenesmen, Anamie, Fieber, Bauchschmerzen, Vollegefuhl und auch Beschwerden auserhalb des Bauchraumes, die manchmal eine Colitis ulcerosa begleiten. Erkrankungen des Rektums konnen zusatzlich von lokalen Schmerzen, Reizzustanden, Hervortreten der Schleimhaut und Juckreiz begleitet werden. Es ist jedoch wichtig zu wissen, das selbst schwerwiegende Erkrankungen ohne jegliche Beschwerden einhergehen konnen. Dies trifft besonders fur adenomatose Polypen und das Fruhkarzinom zu.
Can sexual selection theory explain the evolution of individual and group-level religious beliefs and behaviors?

ABSTRACTAlthough the scientific study of religion is predicated on the evolution of the human mind, sexual selection theory and mating strategies have received relatively little attention as an adaptive cognitive mechanism that influences religious belief and behavior. The empirical study of two hypotheses can begin to show how sexual selection theory can explain certain aspects of religion: (1) religious beliefs and behaviors are strongly influenced by unconscious features of individual evolved mating strategies; and (2) religion helps to facilitate the features of long-term mating strategies in order to promote cooperation and cohesion in groups and regulate the often competitive and more negative features of human mating.
Situation-Specific Scripts for Threat in Blood Fearful and Nonfearful Individuals

Self-schemata for threatening situations were examined in blood fearful and nonfearful individuals. In the context of 5 scenarios involving blood, injections, hospitals, or injury, participants listed events that they typically experience in these situations or events that occur when they witness another individual in these situations. Blood fearful and nonfearful individuals generally listed sequences of events corresponding to a similar macrostructure. However, blood fearful individuals included more negative emotional and physiological events than nonfearful individuals, and several of their sequences reflected higher levels of fear and lower levels of positive affect. These results suggest that the self-schemata of blood fearful individuals for situations involving harm or threat consist of both normal and maladaptive elements.
Reducing secondary organic aerosol formation from gasoline vehicle exhaust

On-road gasoline vehicles are a major source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in urban areas. We investigated SOA formation by oxidizing dilute, ambient-level exhaust concentrations from a fleet of on-road gasoline vehicles in a smog chamber. We measured less SOA formation from newer vehicles meeting more stringent emissions standards. This suggests that the natural replacement of older vehicles with newer ones that meet more stringent emissions standards should reduce SOA levels in urban environments. However, SOA production depends on both precursor concentrations (emissions) and atmospheric chemistry (SOA yields). We found a strongly nonlinear relationship between SOA formation and the ratio of nonmethane organic gas to oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (NMOG:NOx), which affects the fate of peroxy radicals. For example, changing the NMOG:NOx from 4 to 10 ppbC/ppbNOx increased the SOA yield from dilute gasoline vehicle exhaust by a factor of 8. We investigated the implications of this relationship for the Los Angeles area. Although organic gas emissions from gasoline vehicles in Los Angeles are expected to fall by almost 80% over the next two decades, we predict no reduction in SOA production from these emissions due to the effects of rising NMOG:NOx on SOA yields. This highlights the importance of integrated emission control policies for NOx and organic gases.