cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing the Patient Health Questionnaire Modified for Adolescents to improve screening for depression among adolescents in a Federally Qualified Health Centre.

Background Depression, which is a serious medical illness, is prevalent worldwide and it negatively impacts the adolescent lifestyle. Adolescent depression is associated with adverse emotional and functional outcomes and suboptimal physical health. Over the last decade, it has been found that approximately 9% of teenagers meet the criteria for depression at any given time, and one in five teenagers have a history of depression during adolescence. Ninety per cent of paediatricians believe that recognition of child and adolescent depression is their responsibility; however, it has been reported that 46% lacked confidence that they could recognise depression. Methods In this study, adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age were screened during their well-child visits using the Patient Health Questionnaire Modified for Adolescents. A score of 10 or higher warrants a referral to a social worker and psychiatrist. The goals of this quality improvement project were to implement a standardised questionnaire and to improve the screening, diagnosis and treatment of depression in children from 12 to 17 years of age. Results It was found that the adolescent depression screening rate significantly improved within 6 months of implementing this quality improvement project. The screening rate improved to 50% by mid-cycle (Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle 3) and up to 70% at the end of the 6-month period (PDSA cycle 5). Improvement was noted among all providers, across all age groups, and in both male and female patients by the end of the study period. Conclusion Standardised screening tests with a scoring system help providers to identify and monitor depression symptoms using a common language, especially in the outpatient clinical setting where the patient may be seen by different providers.
On the Lie Algebra of polarizable Carnot groups

Balogh and Tyson (Math Z 241(4):697–730, 2002) established the concept of polarizable Carnot groups, which are Carnot groups for which proper polar coordinates can be constructed. They also show that the groups of Heisenberg-type are polarizable and present an open question as to which Carnot groups are polarizable. Here, we explore the hidden nuance in this question as we demonstrate that polarization is not just a property of the algebraic group law, it is also dependent upon the Lie Algebra structure. We explore generalized Heisenberg-type groups and demonstrate the impact of the Lie Algebra.
FMRP bridges R-loops and DHX9 through direct interactions

ABSTRACT Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) occurs when mutations in the FMR1 gene cause the absence or dysfunction of FMRP, known mainly as a translation repressor. We recently showed that FXS cells suffer genome-wide DNA double-strand breaks near R-loops under replication stress. The expression of FMRP, and not an FMRP-I304N mutant of the K-homology 2 RNA-binding domain, suppresses the R-loop-induced DNA breakage. These observations led us to hypothesize that FMRP safeguards the genome through promotion of R-loop detection and/or resolution. Here, we demonstrate that FMRP directly binds R-loops through multivalent interactions between the carboxy-terminal intrinsically disordered region and the R-loop sub-structures. We also show that the amino-terminal folded domain of FMRP directly binds DHX9, an R-loop resolvase, in a KH2-dependent manner. The FMRP-DHX9 interaction is recapitulated by co-immunoprecipitation in human cells. Our findings are consistent with a model in which FMRP recruits DHX9 to R-loop forming sites by bridging their interaction through its amino- and carboxy-termini, respectively.
A Study of Cybersecurity Education Using a Present-Test-Practice-Assess Model

Contribution: Based on a previous exploratory study, this research further investigated learning mode contributions from simulations and live competitive activities compared to a traditional classroom, laboratory, and testing approach to instruction in order to assess the applied behavioral contributions of each. Background: Cybersecurity capabilities in organizations lag behind the threats; consequently, there is a renewed emphasis on cybersecurity education. However, education appears to lack its full potential in most settings. Few empirical studies have systematically tested the efficacy of various training methods and modes, and those that have been conducted have yielded inconsistent findings. Recent literature on the use of gamified simulations have suggested that they may improve cybersecurity behaviors. Similarly, live activities, such as hackathons and capture the flag events, have been surmised to augment learning and capabilities. This study sought to systematically investigate this question. Research Questions: 1) Do cybersecurity simulations improve applied learning performance; 2) do live competitive activities improve applied learning performance; and 3) do any or each of these modes amplify applied learning performance when used in combination? Methodology: This study randomly assigned computer science students to one of four sections using different modalities. It used pretest scores on an applied exam as the co-variate, with post-test scores as the dependent variable. Results: Simulations improved learning performance over traditional classroom/lab instruction alone whereas live competitive activities did not. However, the greatest learning outcomes achieved was structured cybersecurity simulated environments combined with live competitive activities.
A novel classification paradigm for understanding the positive and negative outcomes associated with dieting

There are significant discrepancies regarding use of the term “dieting.” Common definitions of dieting include behavior modifications arguably moderate (e.g., increasing vegetable consumption), those considered more extreme (e.g., fasting), and more ambiguous behaviors (e.g., reducing carbohydrates). Adding to confusion are findings demonstrating that many individuals endorsing dieting do not actually reduce caloric intake. (1) Thus, “dieting” refers to behaviors ranging from moderate to extreme, attempts to reduce intake without objective caloric decrease, and caloric reductions without associated distress. Unfortunately, existing measures collapse together these widely discrepant experiences. As a result, there is poor coordination between the eating disorder and obesity fields in terms of dieting recommendations. Some suggest that dieting contributes to development of disordered eating and obesity; others argue that dieting is necessary for reducing excess weight and health risk. Without clearly defined dieting constructs, neither the eating disorders nor obesity fields can progress towards effective prediction, prevention, or treatment. We propose a novel classification scheme, the “Psycho-behavioral Dieting Paradigm”, which improves upon existing models by differentiating the behavioral and psychological dimensions associated with discrepant dieting experiences and categorizing the interactions between these domains. This model is intended to categorize individuals that endorse dieting, independent of dieting goals. At present, this model is only meant to describe dieting patterns associated with different outcomes, rather than to suggest causal relationships between these patterns and eating disorder and obesity risk. Below we describe this paradigm and provide directions for research.
A parametric distribution for the fraction of outdoor soil in indoor dust

For a chemical that does not have a source inside a house, the ratio of its dust concentration indoors to its soil concentration outdoors is equal to the fraction of house dust that is composed of ...
A MOLECULAR PERSPECTIVE ON THE DIVERSIFICATION OF SHORT-TAILED OPOSSUMS (Monodelphis: DIDELPHIDAE)

As currently understood Monodelphis includes more than 22 species and is the most diverse genus of opossums (Didelphimorphia). No complete evaluation of the systematic relationships of its species has been attempted, despite the fact that several species groups and even genus-level groups have been proposed based on morphology, and that some of them are limited to recognized biogeographic regions. Here, genealogic relationships among 17 species were assessed based on phylogenetic analyses of 60 individual sequences (801 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene). The analy- ses cast doubts on the monophyly of Monodelphis, but species were consistently discrimi- nated into eight species groups: (a) brevicaudata group, with five species, (b) adusta group, four species, (c) dimidiata group, two species, (d) theresa group, two species, (e) emiliae group, (f) kunsi group, (g) americana group, and (h) 'species C' group; the last four being monotypic. Genetic divergence among species within species groups ranges from 0.48 to 12.27%, and among species groups it goes from 15.61 to 20.15%. Further analyses in some species groups reveal congruence between genetic divergence, morphological traits, and geographic distribution, providing additional support for recognition of species limits. Although the cytochrome b gene may diverge too fast to evaluate relationships among the older lineages of the genus, the use of a broad taxon sampling allows for independent tests of hypotheses on species limits and relationships based on non-molecu- lar characters. Congruent patterns offer a starting point for developing a sound taxonomy for Monodelphis and more robust hypotheses in regard to its diversification over many diverse Neotropical habitats.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) decreases apoptosis and stimulates growth of HeLa cells by decreasing stability of P2X7 mRNA

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 2692 Introduction: The P2X7 receptor is a membrane-bound ligand-operated channel, and in epithelia its main function is regulation of apoptosis. Recent studies showed that protein and mRNA levels of P2X7 are lower in cancer epithelial tissues than in the corresponding normal tissues, and that P2X7-mediated apoptosis is abrogated in epithelial cancer cells compared to normal cells. These data suggest that decreased expression of P2X7 predisposes epithelial cells to the effects of carcinogens and may lead to the development of cancer. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that regions of the 3’UTR of P2X7 mRNA confer instability to the transcript. Methods: Normal (hEVEC) and cancerous human uterine cervical epithelial cells (HeLa) were transfected with a reporter plasmid containing luciferase - 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR)-P2X7 cDNA. RNA-Protein Pull-Down experiments involved incubation of biotin-labeled, in-vitro - transcribed (3’UTR)-P2X7 mRNA with nuclear extract of HeLa cells, followed by fractionation using SDS-PAGE. RNA was quantified by one-step qPCR and levels were normalized to GAPDH. Apoptosis was quantified using commercially available kits. Results: (1) Steady-state levels of luciferase mRNA were higher in hEVEC cells transfected with the 3’UTR-P2X7-luciferase vector than in HeLa cells transfected with the reporter plasmid. (2) Pull-Down experiments using (3’UTR)-P2X7 mRNA revealed significant interaction with a 115 kDa band in nuclear extracts of HeLa but only minimally in hEVEC cells. (3) Mass spectrometry of the band revealed the presence of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). (4) Treatment of HeLa cells with the PARP inhibitor 4-HQN resulted in a dose-related increase in P2X7 mRNA and apoptosis. Conclusions: The data suggest that (1) cancerous epithelial cells degrade P2X7 mRNA by activation of instability domains located at the 3’UTR of the P2X7; (2) PARP interacts with transcribed P2X7 mRNA and de-stabilizes the (3’UTR)-P2X7 mRNA; (3) inhibition of PARP augments P2X7-related apoptosis by increasing stability of the P2X7 mRNA. Support: NIH (AG15955) and CytoCore Inc. unrestricted grant to GIG.
Rule-Governed Behavior: A Radical Behavioral Answer To the Cognitive Challenge

A radical behavioral interpretation of the role thinking may play in controlling other human behavior is presented, using rulegoverned behavior as a key explanatory concept. An overview of rule-governed behavior is provided with emphasis on the formulation and following of self-rules. Opposing world views endorsed by radical behaviorism and cognitive psychology are discussed in contrasting the explanations each offers for cognitive phenomena. Differing philosophical foundations and associated truth criteria are viewed as precluding any direct comparison of the adequacy of behavior analytic and cognitive interpretations of cognitive control and related phenomena.
Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of EUVE J0720-317 and EUVE J0723-277

We present Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and optical spectra of the DAO member of the close binary EUVE J0720-317 and of the hot DA EUVE J0723-277. A comparison of density measurements of the local interstellar medium (ISM) toward EUVE J0720-317 and EUVE J0723277 (only 4° apart) reveals large variations in ISM ionization properties. We speculate that the line of sight toward the close binary EUVE J0720-317 is contaminated with circumbinary material or by unsuspected structures in the local ISM.
Chloroplasts extend stromules independently and in response to internal redox signals.

A fundamental mystery of plant cell biology is the occurrence of “stromules,” stroma-filled tubular extensions from plastids (such as chloroplasts) that are universally observed in plants but whose functions are, in effect, completely unknown. One prevalent hypothesis is that stromules exchange signals or metabolites between plastids and other subcellular compartments, and that stromules are induced during stress. Until now, no signaling mechanisms originating within the plastid have been identified that regulate stromule activity, a critical missing link in this hypothesis. Using confocal and superresolution 3D microscopy, we have shown that stromules form in response to light-sensitive redox signals within the chloroplast. Stromule frequency increased during the day or after treatment with chemicals that produce reactive oxygen species specifically in the chloroplast. Silencing expression of the chloroplast NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase, a central hub in chloroplast redox signaling pathways, increased chloroplast stromule frequency, whereas silencing expression of nuclear genes related to plastid genome expression and tetrapyrrole biosynthesis had no impact on stromules. Leucoplasts, which are not photosynthetic, also made more stromules in the daytime. Leucoplasts did not respond to the same redox signaling pathway but instead increased stromule formation when exposed to sucrose, a major product of photosynthesis, although sucrose has no impact on chloroplast stromule frequency. Thus, different types of plastids make stromules in response to distinct signals. Finally, isolated chloroplasts could make stromules independently after extraction from the cytoplasm, suggesting that chloroplast-associated factors are sufficient to generate stromules. These discoveries demonstrate that chloroplasts are remarkably autonomous organelles that alter their stromule frequency in reaction to internal signal transduction pathways.
Fluorescence studies on the mechanism of liposome-cell interactions in vitro

Sonicated unilamellar liposomes containing fluorescent lipid analogs or biotinyl phosphatidylethanolamine as a ligand for fluorescein avidin have been used to study the mechanism of interaction of phospholipid vesicles with eucaryotic cells. Microscopy revealed that after short incubations the fluorescence was associated with the cell surface in a punctate as opposed to a uniform staining pattern. Fluid vesicles, regardless of charge, were found to associate with cells to the same degree. Solid neutral and negatively charged vesicles associated to a 3-fold greater extent, while solid positively charged vesicles associated to a 10-fold greater extent than fluid vesicles. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, a technique used to measure the lateral mobility of cell surface components, was used to measure the lateral mobility of the associated fluorescence probes. No recovery was observed, implying that greater than 90% of the fluorescent lipid analogs are not free to diffuse over distances of the order of 1 micrometer. When these analogs were introduced into the cell membrane by an ethanol-injection technique, rapid and full recovery after photobleaching was observed. This can be accounted for by a lateral diffusion coefficient characteristic of phospholipids in model and biomembranes. The image and photobleaching results suggest that the majority of liposomes that become cell-associated under the conditions used here are adsorbed on the surface. The consequences of this binding for liposome-mediated delivery of molecules into the cytoplasm or plasma membrane of the cell are discussed.
Absence of high blood oxygen affinity in the fetal cat

Abstract Paired blood samples were obtained from maternal and fetal cats for the construction of oxygen-hemoglobin equilibrium curves at 38°C. The P 50 at a plasma pH of 7.40 and 38°C was 35.6 mm Hg for fetal blood and 36.2 mm Hg for maternal blood. The Bohr effect factors were 0.47 and 0.48 respectively. No differences were observed between adult and fetus in oxygen affinity of dialyzed hemoglobin solutions or on starch gel electrophoresis. Fetal cat blood has a higher P 50 than that observed in any other fetus and represents an exception to the general rule that fetal blood has a higher oxygen affinity than maternal blood when expressed at the same pH. The implications for placental gas exchange in this species are considered.
Mighty mice: Transgenic technology “knocks out” questions of matrix metalloproteinase function

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) comprise a family of structurally related proteinases that are believed to play a critical role in many physiological and pathological processes. Transgenic technology offers the possibility of determining whether MMPs contribute directly to these processes. For example, gain of function and loss of function models have confirmed causative roles of MMPs in the development of pulmonary emphysema and unexpectedly uncovered an MMP. dependent mechanism of inflammatory cell recruitment. Limitations of these techniques and powerful applications on the horizon are also presented as we embark on an era where controlled experiments can be performed in complex mammalian models.
Temporary employment experiences of women on welfare

Females with recent participation in public welfare are a disproportionate and growing share of temporary help services firm employees. Research documenting low earnings, frequent job transitions, and low benefit rates among temporary workers has raised concerns that welfare recipients taking these jobs might have poorer labor market outcomes than those entering permanent positions. My findings show that a majority of welfare recipients working in temporary jobs were satisfied with their pay and working conditions and did not earn much less than those in other jobs. They did report, however, high levels of dissatisfaction with the lack of employment benefits received, and their annual earnings were still very low, reflecting chronic job instability that is endemic to the welfare population.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF ATTENTION WITHIN A GROUP OF INFANTS “AT RISK”1

Groups of normal and “at risk” infants were given an attentional task using sucking suppression as an index of attending. Attending as a measure of perceptual-cognitive development was found to be a sensitive task capable of differentiating high and low risk infants. Further, the performance on this perceptual-cognitive task and the infants' 5 minute Apgar scores were assessed and found to be significantly related. These data together with earlier reports suggest that infants with Apgar scores of 8 or less may be at risk in terms of their cognitive development.
An Algorithm for the Generation of an Optimum CMM Inspection Path

An algorithm for generating an optimum CMM inspection path is developed to improve the throughput of CMMs. In this algorithm, a modified 3-D ray tracing technique is applied to an octree database of a CMM configuration space to detect obstacles between any two target points. After an obstacle is detected, collision-free silhouette contour vertices of the object are generated, from a selection criterion, as potential points of a vertex path. As the ray advances, a sequential-decision-making technique is used to derive the suboptimum vertex path from possible collision-free vertex paths. After the suboptimum vertex path is generated, a selection strategy is employed to ensure a correct edge path sequence for deriving an optimum edge point path
Origin and evolution of the optics specifications for the National Ignition Facility

In the second half of the 1990's, LLNL and others will be designing and beginning construction of the National Ignition Facility (NIF). At more than 10 times the power and size of the Nova laser system, this new laser will be capable of producing the worlds first controlled fusion ignition and burn, completing a vital milestone on the path to fusion energy. In order to optimize the performance of the laser system for a minimum cost, we have been conducting a campaign to properly specify the optical properties of the more than 7,500 large optical components to be deployed in the NIF. The draft optics specifications derived from this effort will be presented. The evolution of these specifications, both in language and in content, will be discussed, specifically transmitted wavefront (both P-V and PSD), scratch/dig, surface roughness, bubbles and inclusions specifications.
Import competition, international factor mobility and lobbying responses: the schumpeterian industry case

Abstract This paper analyzes the different responses of economic agents to import competition, in seeking policy intervention. Economic agents are divided into three groups, capitalists, workers and the government. The following output restoring policies are considered: protection, capital importation, labour importation and technology importation. The paper concentrates on capital- intensive, technologically progressive industries using both the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson and the Jones-Neary factor specific models.
Umbilical Arterial Doppler Indices in Acute Uteroplacental Flow Occlusion

This study was undertaken to investigate in an acute model the effects of acute transient occlusion of the uterine blood flow on the umbilical arterial Doppler indices. Transient uteroplacental circulatory insufficiency was produced in five pregnant ewes (gestational age 115–120 days) by reversible mechanical occlusion of the common hypogastric artery for 20 seconds. The Doppler indices measured were the systolic-diastolic ratio, the pulsatility index and the resistance index. The duration of the cardiac cycle and its systolic and diastolic times were approximated from the Doppler waveform. The occlusion produced transient increases in the Doppler indices and cardiac cycle time. The uteroplacental circulatory insufficiency induced increases (P 0.05) when the latter were corrected for the changes in the cardiac cycle time. Furthermore, diastolic time was the main component of the changes in the cardiac cycle time, and the Doppler indices demonstrated a higher correlation with diastolic time than with systolic time. The results verified that changes in the duration of the fetal cardiac cycle play an important role in shaping the umbilical arterial Doppler waveform and hence need to be taken into account in estimating the Doppler indices.
Hydraulic resistance: a measure of vascular outflow obstruction in osteonecrosis.

This study introduces hydraulic resistance (HR) as a new method to measure intraosseous vascular outflow resistance in the human proximal femur. HR is the standard measure of resistance to fluid flow in porous matrices and is derived from serial pressure/flow determinations. Eighteen hips were studied in 11 patients taken to surgery for core decompression therapy of presumable atraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head. HR was much higher in osteonecrotic (174 ± 29 mm Hg min/ml, SE) than in normal human cadaveric femora (14 ± 6) and was also higher in subcapital (253 ± 39) than intertrochanteric sites (78 ± 17). HR correlated highly with baseline intraosseous pressure (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). HR testing is a simple, practical method which quantifies outflow obstruction of the intraosseous circulation. We believe this test will be helpful in the diagnosis of atraumatic osteonecrosis and in the understanding of its underlying pathophysiology.
Time Domain State Space Identification of Structural Systems

An integrated time domain state space identification technique for structural systems is presented. This technique integrates the Observability Range Space Extraction identification algorithm, Balanced Realization model reduction algorithm, and Least Square model updating algorithm to generate low order and highly accurate state space models for structural systems based upon time domain data. The algorithms are integrated in such a manner that the Observability Range Space Extraction identification algorithm is used to generate an initial overparameterized state space model and then the Balanced Realization model reduction and Least Square model updating algorithms are used to iteratively reduce and update the model to achieve minimum prediction errors in time domain. We shall present the Observability Range Space Extraction identification algorithm and the Least Square model updating algorithm and discuss the integrated identification technique. The MIT Middeck Active Control Experiment (MACE) is used as an application example. MACE is an active structure control experiment to be conducted in the Space Shuttle middeck. Results of ground experiments using this technique will be discussed.
Continuity of care: important, but only the first step.

Continuity of care is critical to achieving the best outcomes, especially for patients with chronic conditions. Israel’s strong commitment to primary care as a central organizing concept of the health system, accompanied by investments in health information technology and training primary care physicians, has contributed to its impressive levels of continuity of care. Taking the next steps toward a comprehensive system of patient- and population-centered care for proactive management of patients with chronic conditions has much potential to further enhance outcomes and reduce costs.
Forward Modeling to Assess and Improve Gravity Network Geometry at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Scientists have been using campaign gravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity at Kilauea's summit for decades, yet we have a poor understanding of the ability of the existing network to resolve sources of magma accumulation with different mass changes and depths. We also do not yet have a fully quantified measure of the relative importance of the stations in the network. This research tests the network using a simple forward modeling approach over a range of likely source volumes and depths. The analysis determines network sensitivity to three different likely source locations, calculates the relative importance of stations in the network, and examines the problem of signal distortion imposed by network geometry. This work finds that the current network is least sensitive to south caldera sources, and investigates the location and number of stations that will resolve this problem most effectively.
Elevated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels in diabetic rats. Potential mediator of hyperfiltration.

Abstract Infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increases the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and ANP is released from cardiac myocytes in response to extracellular fluid volume expansion. Since diabetes mellitus is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration and volume expansion, we investigated the relationship between ANP and GFR in diabetic rats given insulin to achieve stable moderate hyperglycemia or normoglycemia. At 2 wk after induction of diabetes, moderately hyperglycemic diabetic rats exhibited elevations of plasma ANP levels averaging 281 +/- 28 pg/ml vs. 158 +/- 15 pg/ml in normoglycemic diabetic rats. In hyperglycemic rats, the GFR was also elevated on average to 2.24 +/- 0.28 ml/min as compared with 1.71 +/- 0.13 ml/min in normoglycemic diabetic rats. To test further the relationship between ANP and GFR in diabetes, moderately hyperglycemic diabetic rats were infused either with a specific ANP antiserum or with nonimmune serum. The infusion of specific ANP antiserum uniformly reduced the GFR on average from 2.38 +/- 0.1 ml/min to 1.60 +/- 0.1 ml/min, whereas the infusion of nonimmune serum was without effect. It is concluded that elevated endogenous ANP levels contribute to the hyperfiltration observed in early diabetes in the rat.
Inhibition by superoxide dismutase and catalase of the damage of isolated Leishmania mexicana amazonensis by phenazine methosulfate

Phenazine methosulfate, a cationic electron carrier, inhibits the extracellular growth of promastigotes and the conversion of amastigotes into promastigote forms of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis. Growth inhibition and damage of extracellular parasites by PMS was counteracted by superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of the superoxide anion (O2-), and to a lesser extent, by catalase, a scavenger of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Inactivated dismutase and catalase were ineffective. Thus, damage of isolated L.m. amazonensis by phenazine methosulfate, involves the participation of O2- and H2O2. The role of the oxygen metabolites in the toxicity of phenazine methosulfate remains unknown. That O2- can damage the parasites is supported by the finding that superoxide dismutase also protected promastigotes from damage induced by oxygen intermediates generated by a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Killing of the parasites by crystal violet, a triphenylmethane, or basic blue 24, a phenothiazine, was not inhibited by superoxide dismutase.
Combining symbolic and numerical processing for real-time intelligent control

Abstract In this article, we describe a new framework for developing real-time intelligent control systems. An integrated intelligent system is a large knowledge integration environment that consists of several symbolic reasoning systems (expert systems) and numerical computation packages. These software programs are controlled by a meta-system, which manages the selection, operation and communication of these programs. This new architecture can serve as a universal configuration to develop high-performance intelligent systems for many complicated industrial applications in the real-world domains.
Single‐Molecule Determination of the Face‐Specific Adsorption of Amelogenin’s C‐Terminus on Hydroxyapatite

The energetics of protein–mineral interactions is a crucial but poorly characterized factor underlying the hierarchical structure of mineralized tissue. During mineralization, organized protein matrices direct formation of mineral components. As with all assembly processes, the free-energy change provides the underlying thermodynamic driver, in this case reflecting protein interactions with the nascent mineral. However, despite the importance of obtaining face-specific free energies of mineral binding to establish a molecular-level understanding of biomineral organization, to date no direct measurements have been reported. Computational approaches struggle with the complexities of proteins, the inadequacies of model water potentials and effects of background electrolytes. Herein we present a novel application of force spectroscopy in which an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip, functionalized with Amelogenin protein (Amel) C-terminal fragment, is used to directly determine the singlemolecule, face-specific free energy DGB of Amel binding to hydroxyapatite (HAp), the mineral phase in tooth enamel. [1] We then use complementary molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to compare binding energies at different faces and surface terminations and to identify the key interactions controlling face-specific binding and crystal morphology. Amelogenin (Table 1), a largely hydrophobic protein rich
Subtalar Arthroscopy for Persistent Subfibular Pain After Calcaneal Fractures

This is a report of 10 consecutive patients who had subtalar arthroscopy for persistent pain in the subfibular area after open reduction and internal fixation for intraarticular calcaneal fractures...
Kupffer cells are responsible for producing inflammatory cytokines and hepatocellular dysfunction during early sepsis.

Abstract Background.Although hepatocellular dysfunction occurs early after the onset of sepsis, the mechanism responsible for this remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the reduction in Kupffer cell (KC) numbers prior to the onset of sepsis prevents the occurrence of hepatocellular dysfunction and reduces levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 during the early stage of polymicrobial sepsis. Materials and methods.The number of KC in male adult rats was reducedin vivoby intravenous injection of gadolinium chloride 48 h before the induction of sepsis. KC-reduced and KC-normal rats were then subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP, i.e., a model of polymicrobial sepsis) or sham operation followed by administration of normal saline solution. At 5 h after CLP (the early stage of sepsis), hepatocellular function [i.e., the maximal velocity of clearance (Vmax) and efficiency of active transport (Km) of indocyanine green] was measured using a fiber-optic catheter andin vivohemoreflectometer. Whole blood was drawn to measure plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results.Hepatocellular function was depressed and the circulating levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were increased significantly at 5 h after CLP. KC reduction by prior administration of gadolinium chloride, however, prevented the occurrence of hepatocellular dysfunction and the upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6. Conclusions.The KC-derived proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 appear to be directly or indirectly responsible for producing hepatocellular dysfunction during early sepsis. Thus, pharmacologic agents that downregulate the production of one or both of these proinflammatory cytokines in the liver may be useful for maintaining hepatocellular function during the early stage of sepsis.
On the Meaning of Affinity: Cluster Glycoside Effects and Concanavalin A

The inhibition of protein−carbohydrate interaction provides a powerful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of myriad human diseases. To date, application of such approaches have been frustrated by the inherent low affinity of carbohydrate ligands for their protein receptors. Because lectins typically exist in multimeric assemblies, a variety of polyvalent saccharide ligands have been prepared in the search for high affinity. The cluster glycoside effect, or the observation of high affinity derived from multivalency in oligosaccharide ligands, apparently represents the best strategy for overcoming the “weak binding” problem. Here we report the synthesis of a series of multivalent dendritic saccharides and a biophysical evaluation of their interaction with the plant lectin concanavalin A. Although a 30-fold enhancement in affinity on a valence-corrected basis is observed by agglutination assay, calorimetric titration of soluble protein with a range of multivalent ligands reveals no enhancement in binding...
Higher order harmonics of CO 2 and N 2 O laser difference frequencies

The generation of the fourth and fifth harmonics of the difference frequency between two 28-THz laser lines, by a tungsten-nickel diode, was observed.
Design and development of ion-selective polymer-supported reagents: The immobilization of heptamolybdate anions for the complexation of silicate through Keggin structure formation

Abstract A silicate-selective polymer-supported reagent has been developed that utilizes the reactivity of silicate to generate polyanionic Keggin structures. Heptamolybdate and heptatungstate anions are immobilized onto trimethylammonium ligands bound to microporous poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) beads. The heptamolybdate complexes >90% of the silicate from a 20 ppm solution at pH 7; the heptatungstate has a lower affinity, complexing 40% of the silicate. Complexation by the heptamolybdate remains high throughout the pH range 3.8–10.7. Sorption is unaffected by the presence of chloride, sulfate, and nitrate ions. The apparent rate of reaction is maximized by immobilizing the ligand on an expanded gel support: whereas the microporous polymer requires 24 h to complex all of the silicate from a 100 ppm solution, the expanded gel attains that level in 4 h. The rate-limiting step is thus identified as accessibility of the silicate to the heptamolybdate rather than the rate of reaction to form the silicomolybdate. FTIR spectra confirm silicomolybdate formation: The heptamolybdate polymer has four characteristic bands at 715, 845, 912 and 945 cm −1 and these bands get weaker as silicate reacts with the heptamolybdate; at complete reaction, the band at 845 cm −1 disappears. The spectrum of the silica-saturated polymer has strong bands at 900–904 cm −1 and 790–800 cm −1 , consistent with the spectrum of tert-butylammonium silicododecamolybdate.
Subviral particle as vaccine and vaccine platform

Recombinant subvirual particles retain similar antigenic features of their authentic viral capsids and thus have been applied as nonreplicating subunit vaccines against viral infection and illness. Additionally, the self-assembled, polyvalent subviral particles are excellent platforms to display foreign antigens for immune enhancement for vaccine development. These subviral particle-based vaccines are noninfectious and thus safer than the conventional live attenuated and inactivated vaccines. While several VLP vaccines are available in the markets, numerous others, including dual vaccines against more than one pathogen, are under clinical or preclinical development. This article provides an update of these efforts.
Conductivity of ZnO nanowires, nanoparticles, and thin films using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy

The terahertz absorption coefficient, index of refraction, and conductivity of nanostructured ZnO have been determined using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy, a noncontact optical probe. ZnO properties were measured directly for thin films and were extracted from measurements of nanowire arrays and mesoporous nanoparticle films by applying Bruggeman effective medium theory to the composite samples. Annealing significantly reduces the intrinsic carrier concentration in the ZnO films and nanowires, which were grown by chemical bath deposition. The complex-valued, frequency-dependent photoconductivities for all morphologies were found to be similar at short pump-probe delay times. Fits using the Drude-Smith model show that films have the highest mobility, followed by nanowires and then nanoparticles, and that annealing the ZnO increases its mobility. Time constants for decay of photoinjected electron density in films are twice as long as those in nanowires and more than 5 times those for nanoparticles due to increased electron interaction with interfaces and grain boundaries in the smaller-grained materials. Implications for electron transport in dye-sensitized solar cells are discussed.
American Evangelicals Talking with God in Their Minds

Tanya M. Luhrmann’s When God Talks Back examines how God becomes real in the minds of American evangelicals. How is it that sensible and reasonable people in this evidential world claim to walk and talk with God and experience God personally? Luhrmann answers this conundrum as an anthropological psychologist and sympathetic outsider delving into the world of American evangelicals. She finds that evangelicals are able to experience an all-loving God who has a direct and positive effect in their lives because they train their minds to do so. They school their minds to see, touch, and feel God. Reviewing the book’s important contributions to our understanding of how faith is conceived in the mind, this article raises questions for religious practitioners and those in the field of pastoral psychology regarding people’s efforts to have and to hold onto their faith in the modern world.
Patterns of Chinese gang extortion

Although it is widely acknowledged that Chinese businesses are victims of extortion by Asian youth gangs, there is little reliable information with which to examine the patterns and social processes of the problem. This paper explores the structure of extortion and other forms of victimization based on surveys of 603 Chinese-owned businesses in three Chinese neighborhoods in New York City. It focuses on the patterns, processes, and extent of Chinese gang victimization, and on how the political economy and sociocultural contexts of the Chinese community have regularized and institutionalized the forms of gang victimization.
Work in progress: What calculus do students learn after calculus?

Clinical interviews were held with students in senior level electrical engineering and methods of teaching secondary mathematics classes. These students had all completed a 4-semester calculus sequence including differential equations. Engineering students had then taken advanced classes applying mathematical ideas in real-world contexts while mathematics education students had taken a similar amount of coursework in advanced mathematics courses. Students were interviewed to determine how their conceptual understanding of function and accumulation (integration) had grown or regressed during work after calculus. Back-transfer, where later learning improves conceptual understanding of earlier material, was observed.
Numerics of codes: stability, diffusion, and convergence

Abstract The numerical methods used in the primary US reactor safety codes are summarized. The basic Courant-type stability limits for these codes are reviewed, and more subtle stability problems arising from the explicit evaluation of various friction and heat-transfer coefficients are discussed. Much of the stability and robustness of these codes has come at the expense of high numerical diffusion. The impact of numerical diffusion is illustrated. The question of convergence of solutions of the difference equations to those of the original differential equations is also addressed.
Wavenumber mismatch of interacting modes in a plane wake

A technique is presented to examine the level of wavenumber mismatch between nonlinearly interacting components whose frequencies obey resonant matching conditions. Cross-correlation of the auto-bispectram is used to quantify the level of mismatch, and the concept of bispectrum coherency is introduced to determine the confidence level in the wavenumber mismatch measurements. The results show that wavenumber mismatch of the order of one tenth of the fundamental wavenumber can exist between interacting triads whose frequencies obey resonance matching.
Statistical clutter modeling and parameter estimation for the characterization of buried objects using frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensing

The problem of low metal content mine characterization form broadband electromagnetic induction (BEMI) data is addressed. A stochastic model describing the spatial distribution of clutter is developed and methods for estimating and removing this unwanted interference are described and tested. After removing the clutter from the signal, a technique is introduced for extracting from BEMI data information describing the location, orientation and structure of the buried object. Examples are provided for spherical and ellipsoidal mines.
Recovery in jargonaphasia

Abstract Characteristics of jargonaphasia and jargonagraphia were studied longitudinally in one individual in order to track patterns of recovery and relate findings to theories on the «source» of deficits. Theories which explain the source of «jargon» based entirely on phonological or graphemic mapping problems were not supported in this case. It was found that written language followed a recovery pattern similar to that of verbal expression, evolving from «undifferentiated jargon» to fluent, circumlocutory expression characteristic of lexical retrieval deficits.
Use of CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsyin staging of genitourinary tumors

CT-guided needle aspiration biopsy has been used for staging of genitourinary tumors. The display of structures provided by CT is particularly suited for complex anatomic sites such as spine, pelvis, thorax, permitting selection of the shortest and safest route for the needle, away from the aorta, vena cava, and pleural surface. Another advantage of CT is its ability to detect soft tissue components of the tumors and the presence of central necrosis therefore targetting the biopsy toward the part of the lesion with the greatest diagnostic yield.
A conformation-dependent stereochemical library improves crystallographic refinement even at atomic resolution.

To utilize a new conformation-dependent backbone-geometry library (CDL) in protein refinements at atomic resolution, a script was written that creates a restraint file for the SHELXL refinement program. It was found that the use of this library allows models to be created that have a substantially better fit to main-chain bond angles and lengths without degrading their fit to the X-ray data even at resolutions near 1 A. For models at much higher resolution (∼0.7 A), the refined model for parts adopting single well occupied positions is largely independent of the restraints used, but these structures still showed much smaller r.m.s.d. residuals when assessed with the CDL. Examination of the refinement tests across a wide resolution range from 2.4 to 0.65 A revealed consistent behavior supporting the use of the CDL as a next-generation restraint library to improve refinement. CDL restraints can be generated using the service at http://pgd.science.oregonstate.edu/cdl_shelxl/.
A new glibenclamide-insensitive neuroselective hyperpolarizing agent

We describe a novel compound, (−)-N-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-N′-(1,2,3,-trimethylpropyl)-2-nitroethene-1,1-diamine), Bay x9227, that demonstrates dose-dependent hyperpolarizing activity of remarkable potency (EC50 3 picomolar) and selectivity for CNS neurons and clonal neurotypic cells compared to smooth muscle cells. Single cell membrane potential measurements were obtained in physiologic buffer using the fluorescent probe, bisoxonol. Unlike KATP+-channel activators including its (+)-enantiomer (Hoffman et al., 1993, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 190(2), 551), this activity was insensitive to glibenclamide antagonism. These data suggest a novel pharmacologic site for effecting neuroselective hyperpolarization.
Integrin-mediated signal transduction

Integrins, expressed on virtually every cell type, are proteins that mediated cellular interactions with components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell surface integral plasma membrane proteins. In addition, integrins interact with the cytoskeleton and through this process participate in cell migration, tissue organization, cell growth, haemostasis, inflammation, target recognition of lymphocytes and the differentiation of many cell types. Signals generated from ligand-integrin interactions are propagated via the integrin cytoplasmic tails to signal transduction pathways within the cell (outside-in signalling). Information from within the cell can also be transmitted to the outside via integrin affinity modulation (inside-out signalling). Protein tyrosine phosphorylation has a central role in integrin-initiated cell signalling, leading to cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesion formation. This review will examine the current understanding of integrin function, focusing on the intracellular consequences of integrin-ligand interaction.