cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mormon Fertility in Latin America

While previous research has identified religion as an influence of fertility, how context changes the nature of that relationship remains little understood. Using census data from Brazil, Chile and Mexico, this study examines whether the high fertility pattern of one pronatalist, American-born religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDSs]) translates to the Latin American context. Results indicate that it does, but only among a subgroup as the pronatalist pattern is masked by member’s educational attainment and mixed religion marriages. When these attributes are accounted for LDS fertility is high in Latin America, especially among the more educated. This study highlights both the importance of member characteristics in influencing fertility and the role of selective recruiting in determining how and whether these characteristics vary by context.
Familial supravalvular aortic stenosis

Supravalvular aortic stenosis of the familial type has been found in a mother and four of her five children. Diagnosis was established by heart catheterization and angiocardiography in four cases and necropsy in one. Twenty-five members of the family were examined by the authors. Although a familial metabolic defect is suspected, no excessive intake of vitamin D or hypercalcemia could be demonstrated.
Case study: strategic alliances in international franchising ‐ the entry of Silver Streak Restaurant Corporation into Mexico

The study examines the process of international market expansion by a relatively new and small franchisor. Particular emphasis is placed on the company‘s efforts to identify a suitable partner in the host country, the adaptation of the concept to address differences in the new market, and the multitude of critical decisions that need to be made when franchising in international markets. The authors also discuss the role that strategic alliances play in the success of international franchising efforts. The paper concludes with the implications of this case for both researchers and practitioners.
Mode shape analysis using a commercially available peak store video frame buffer

Time exposure photography, sometimes coupled with strobe illumination, is an accepted method for motion analysis that bypasses frame by frame analysis and resynthesis of data. Garden variety video cameras can now exploit this technique using a unique frame buffer that is a non-integrating memory that compares incoming data with that already stored. The device continuously outputs an analog video signal of the stored contents which can then be redigitized and analyzed using conventional equipment. Historically, photographic time exposures have been used to record the displacement envelope of harmonically oscillating structures to show mode shape. Mode shape analysis is crucial, for example, in aeroelastic testing of wind tunnel models. Aerodynamic, inertial, and elastic forces can couple together leading to catastrophic failure of a poorly designed aircraft. This paper will explore the usefulness of the peak store device as a videometric tool and in particular discuss methods for analyzing a targeted vibrating plate using the 'peak store' in conjunction with calibration methods familiar to the close-range videometry community. Results for the first three normal modes will be presented.
Book Review: Literature Culture and History in Mughal North India 1550–1800

Sandhya Sharma, Literature Culture and History in Mughal North India 1550–1800, New Delhi: Primus Books, 2011, pp. 241.
Use of Benzimidazole Agar Plates to Assess Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Feeding on Excised Maize and Sorghum Leaves

Summary The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an economically significant pest of sorghum and maize. Laboratory bioassays are often conducted for convenience and for fall armyworm confinement but as the number of entries and replications increase, the replenishing of fresh tissue daily and the cleaning of insect diet cups or petri dishes becomes laborious. The current study was conducted to determine if agar plates, used to retain leaf moisture, supplemented with benzimidazole, a fungicide that delays leaf senescence and retards fungicide growth, can be used to assess fall armyworm feeding on fresh maize and sorghum leaf tissue with minimal labor. We conducted 2 trials consisting of 3 cultivars of maize with known resistance or susceptibility to fall armyworm feeding, and 4 cultivars of sorghum that are parents of existing mapping populations. The top 2 (whorl) leaves were removed from 36–37-day old plants, 7.6 cm long pieces of leaf were excised, and each piec...
Inherited predisposition and breast cancer: modifiers of BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer risk.

Germline mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) genes explain a substantial proportion of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Women who have inherited a mutation in one of these genes are at increased risk to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer, although there is variability in the manifestation of tumors by age and site. This variability may be explained, in part, by the BRCA1/2 mutation type or location. However, it is also possible that risk-modifying factors exist that explain interindividual variability in cancer risk. These factors include genes at other loci and endogenous or exogenous exposures. A more complete understanding of factors that modify cancer risk in BRCA 1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers may help to refine estimates of cancer risk. A number of exposures, including reproductive history and exogenous hormone use, have been implicated as BRCA1/2-associated cancer risk modifiers. Similarly, genes involved in hormone metabolism, including the AIB 1 and AR genes, have been linked with altered breast cancer risk. Therefore, although germline BRCA1/2 mutations raise a woman's breast and ovarian cancer risk, other factors may interact with BRCA 1/2 mutations to modulate this risk.
Classroom Provocateurs and Ethical Classroom Practice.

This article is based upon a larger study that considered three high school literature units in the US. Through a close analysis of one classroom discussion between a teacher and a provocative 8th grade student named Fish, I argue that it is not only ethically responsible to position the Fishes of this world as laudable, but that doing so is beneficial for critically focused English classes as a whole. Further, I argue that my reading of Fish as a provocateur can be productively transferred to other student‐provocateurs in our English classrooms who vex the smooth doing‐of‐school in different ways than Fish did.
Psychological and performance concomitants of increased volume training in elite athletes

Abstract Fifteen athletes, eight males and seven females, from the sport of judo served as subjects in a study investigating the effects of increased training loads on various psychological characteristics. Subjects were monitored over a ten week period. Three phases of training were employed: baseline, increased conditioning training volume, and increased sport specific training volume. Psychological instruments administered at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 10 assessed a variety of variables in the areas of mood state, competitive anxiety, sport specific psychological skills, clinical disorder signs, and perceptions of training. Physical performance measures were also assessed to monitor speed, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic endurance. Results indicated that athletes were significantly angrier at week 10 than at baseline, showed a significant increase in fatigue at week 8 compared to baseline, and rated their perceived effort highest at week 8. Significant changes during the training period were also noted on ...
Contaminants in commercial dapsone.

Abstract Three contaminants commonly found in commercial dapsone were identified as 2,4׳-sulfonylbis(benzeneamine), 4-(phenylsulfonyl)benzeneamine, and 4-(4׳-chlorophenylsulfonyl)benzeneamine. The identities were based on the spectral analysis and unambiguous synthesis of each compound. Solvent-free, pure dapsone was prepared by recrystallization from chloroform.
On being a pathologist: how does one plan a career, or does one?

My decision to go to medical school, made in 1949 when I was 12 years old, resulted from an interest in photography and a series of illnesses with numerous x-rays. Thus, I decided to become a radiologist. Getting into medical school was not an easy task when only 10% of the medical school classes had to be women according to the National Health Act of 1948. Since I was at a small boarding school, my ambition meant my father forcing the school to recruit a senior master from nearby Tonbridge boys' school to teach me physics and chemistry. I also benefited from vacation chemistry tutoring at King's College, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. By the time I was interviewed in 1955 at Durham University Medical School in Newcastle upon Tyne, now Newcastle University Medical School, I had forgotten my real reason for becoming a doctor, but I was accepted dependent on passing 4 “A-levels.” On a Mediterranean cruise in August, I learned that I had passed the 4 subjects and would enter the “second year” of medical school that October. In those days there were ostensibly no grades, but later I found out that I had only passed my chemistry by 1 mark (pass was 40/100) and physics by 5. Botany and zoology were easy passes. The next hurdle was “Second M.B.” after 15 months of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Approximately 10% of the class would be eliminated by this examination. Pathology, Public Health, Pharmacology, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine began during our “third year.” Pathology
Band structure and disorder effects on electron localization in semiconductor superlattices

Abstract Superlattices of GaAs/Ga 0.7 Al 0.3 As have been employed to investigate the effects of band structure, disorder, and barrier transmission on electron localization. Vertical transport experiments yield evidence of both electric field-induced localization via Wannier-Stark ladder formation and disorder-induced localization due to coherent backscattering from random fluctuations in the barrier transmission amplitude. Samples with narrower mini-band widths show greater localization effects from both mechanisms.
Field emission scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, and Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of near-isogenic soft and hard wheat kernels and corresponding flours

Abstract Secondary field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate native near-isogenic soft and hard wheat kernels and their roller milled flours. FE SEM images of flat-polished interior endosperm indicated distinct differences between soft and hard wheats with less internal continuity in the soft wheat, whereas individual starch granules were much less evident in the hard kernel due to a more continuous matrix. AFM images revealed two different microstructures. The interior of the hard kernel had a granular texture with distinct individual spheroid features of 10–50 nm while the images obtained for the soft kernel revealed less distinct small grains and more larger features, possibly micro-structural features of starch granules. Raman spectra resolved identical distinct frequencies for both kernel types with slightly different intensities between types. Finally, the chemical surface compositions of flour for these two types of kernels obtained by XPS provided subtle insight into the differences between soft and hard wheat kernels. These combined advanced microscopic and spectroscopic analyses provide additional insight into the differences between the soft and hard wheat kernels.
Power optimization of optical wide area networks

In this paper we explore scalable power efficient architectures for optical WAN. The network traffic we assume is 10–100 times larger than what it is today, the rationale being power efficiency will become the paramount obstacle in the next decade when network demands dramatically increases by orders of magnitude. We find using optical by bypass, optical switching at major nodes, WAN topology and capacity deployment and optical flow switching of large transactions are key attributes of a power efficient network.1
Unique Oil-Gas-Water Transition Zone: ABSTRACT

Detailed subsurface studies of the F-1 sandstone (Ranger zone, lower Repetto Formation, lower Pliocene) resulted in the mapping of an oil-gas-water transition zone where the gas is postulated to have appeared as a secondary feature, associated with the pressure relaxation of the oil reservoir, and to have migrated from the oil zone downdip to form the oil-gas-water transition zone. End_of_Article - Last_Page 600------------
Deformation twinning in Al-4.8 wt% Mg

Abstract Deformation twins have been observed in polycrystalline Al-4.8 wt% Mg shock-loaded at −180°C to 13 GPa. Selected area diffraction confirms the twinning plane to be the {111}, similar to deformation twinning in other face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) metals. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations indicate that twins form preferentially near grain boundaries. A qualitative estimate of twin boundary velocity based on TEM observations suggests that twins in Al-4.8 wt% Mg form at speeds just below the shear wave velocity. Similarly shock-loaded experiments on 99.99 Al and 6061-T6 exhibited no evidence of deformation twinning. Substructure evolution and twin formation and/or lack of deformation twinning in the three aluminum alloys studied are discussed in terms of deformation twinning mechanisms.
Biochemical parameters of epidermal aging in the hairless mouse and the relationship to UV-carcinogenesis☆

Abstract Epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of cancer increases with age in both human and animal populations and that declining physiologic condition associated with aging might be responsible. Experimentally, the reverse has been most often observed, that is, older animals appear less susceptible to the induction of UV-carcinogenesis. Thus, we examined several biochemical parameters of epidermal macromolecular synthesis in hairless mice in an effort to gain insight, into the role these processes play in physiological aging and their relationship to carcinogenesis. SKh-Hr-1 hairless mice were randomized into two groups (UV-irradiated and non-irradiated controls) and were two months of age at the start of irradiation and biochemical analyses. The UV group received 0.028 sunburn units (SBUs) daily (5 days wk−1) for 16 months from 40 watt BZS-WLG lamps. Stratum corneum turnover rates (SCR), cell label index (CLI), protein, DNA and RNA synthesis, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induction were determined at monthly intervals over a period of two years. There were no age-related tendencies observed in SCR. CLI increased with age. Chronic, low-dose UV had no effect upon either of these parameters. Epidermal capacity for DNA and protein synthesis increased with age from 2 months to 12–15 months at which time both parameters peaked and then began to decline. UV significantly reduced (P
Polar synthetic imaging

In the search for low-cost wide spectrum imagers it may become necessary to sacrifice the expense of the focal plane array and revert to a scanning methodology. In many cases the sensor may be too unwieldy to physically scan and mirrors may have adverse effects on particular frequency bands. In these cases, photonic masks can be devised to modulate the incoming light field with a code over time. This is in essence code-division multiplexing of the light field into a lower dimension channel. In this paper a simple method for modulating the light field with masks of the Archimedes’ spiral is presented and a mathematical model of the two-dimensional mask set is developed.
Nonshared environmental effects on adulthood psychopathic personality traits: Results from a monozygotic twin difference scores analysis

An emerging body of empirical research has revealed that nonshared environmental factors are associated with explaining variance in measures of psychopathy and psychopathic personality traits. The current study adds to this existing knowledge base by analyzing a measure of psychopathy derived, in part, from the five factor model in a sample of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The results of the MZ twin difference scores analysis revealed that nonshared environmental factors found within the family were unrelated to between-twin differences in psychopathic personality traits. Only one nonshared factor—levels of self-control—consistently predicted psychopathy. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings and the limitations of our study.
Tunable cavity coupling scheme using a wedged plate

We describe a novel scheme for tuning the input coupling of an optical resonator. This scheme employs a wedged plate which is slightly reflective rather than the more conventional slightly transmissive element.
Mechanisms for defining supercoiling set point of DNA gyrase orthologs: II. The shape of the GyrA subunit C-terminal domain (CTD) is not a sole determinant for controlling supercoiling efficiency

DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes that can overwind, underwind, and disentangle double-helical DNA segments to maintain the topological state of chromosomes. Nearly all bacteria utilize a unique type II topoisomerase, gyrase, which actively adds negative supercoils to chromosomes using an ATP-dependent DNA strand passage mechanism; however, the specific activities of these enzymes can vary markedly from species to species. Escherichia coli gyrase is known to favor supercoiling over decatenation (Zechiedrich, E. L., Khodursky, A. B., and Cozzarelli, N. R. (1997) Genes Dev. 11, 2580–2592), whereas the opposite has been reported for Mycobacterium tuberculosis gyrase (Aubry, A., Fisher, L. M., Jarlier, V., and Cambau, E. (2006) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 348, 158–165). Here, we set out to understand the molecular basis for these differences using structural and biochemical approaches. Contrary to expectations based on phylogenetic inferences, we find that the dedicated DNA wrapping domains (the C-terminal domains) of both gyrases are highly similar, both architecturally and in their ability to introduce writhe into DNA. However, the M. tuberculosis enzyme lacks a C-terminal control element recently uncovered in E. coli gyrase (see accompanying article (Tretter, E. M., and Berger, J. M. (2012) J. Biol. Chem. 287, 18636–18644)) and turns over ATP at a much slower rate. Together, these findings demonstrate that C-terminal domain shape is not the sole regulatory determinant of gyrase activity and instead indicate that an inability to tightly couple DNA wrapping to ATP turnover is why M. tuberculosis gyrase cannot supercoil DNA to the same extent as its γ-proteobacterial counterpart. Our observations demonstrate that gyrase has been modified in multiple ways throughout evolution to fine-tune its specific catalytic properties.
Molecular Radiobiology: The State of the Art

Traditional cytotoxic agents used in cancer therapy were initially discovered based on their ability to kill rapidly dividing cells. The targets of these early-generation agents were typically one or more aspects of DNA synthesis or mitosis. Thus, dose-limiting toxicities commonly associated with these agents include GI dysfunction, immunosuppression, and other consequences of injury to normal tissues in which cells are replicating under normal physiologic conditions. Although many of these agents still play an important role in cancer therapy when given concurrently with radiation therapy, the major thrust of radiobiology research in the last two decades has focused on discovering tumor-specific traits that might be exploited for more selective targeting that would enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy with less normal tissue toxicity. These newer generation molecular targeted therapies interfere with the growth of tumor cells by inhibiting genes and their protein products that are needed specifically by ...
Femtosecond elementary dynamics of transition states and asymmetric α-cleavage in Norrish reactions

In this Letter, we report studies of the femtosecond dynamics of transition states and asymmetric α-cleavage in Norrish type-I reactions. Systematically, we consider the dynamics of dissociation along two reaction coordinates in methyl ethyl ketone and diethyl ketone, and compare these results with those of dimethyl ketone and methyl chloro ketone. The concept of concertedness as the system moves away from the transition-state region is examined and the primary and secondary processes involved in the α-cleavage are resolved. We compare experimental results with theoretical predictions of impulsive and statistical models.
PROTONS FROM THE SUN ON MAY 12, 1959

In the past year evidence has been accumulating that high-energy nucleons arrive at the earth following solar disturbances. Such an event is described which occurred on May 12, 1959. Ion chambers, Geiger and scintillation counters, and photographic emulsions were exposed above Minneapolis at a pressure altitude of 10 g/cm/sup 2/ throughout the period of enhanced intensity. The integral fiux of particles at the top of the atmosphere increased by approximately a factor of 1000 above that of cosmic rays, and the composition of the incoming fiux was essentially pure hydrogen. (W.D.M.)
Case report: caring for suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients

T he rapid onset and widespread distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has created worldwide concern and scientific cooperation. It also has presented challenges to every health care provider to be informed and prepared to handle potential cases. SARS is recognized as a contagious respiratory illness and is believed to be associated with a coronavirus (SARS associated coronavirus SARS-CoV). The rate that it has spread internationally is noteworthy. SARS first manifested in China in November 2002.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) alerted the world at the end of February 2003. Dr. Carlo Urbani, an epidemiologist working with WHO, investigated an atypical respiratory disease at a hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. On March 10, 2003, 22 hospital workers at the same hospital developed a similar respiratory illness2 and on March 29, 2003, Dr. Urbani died of SARS.3 Within 1 month of recognition, SARS has become a global threat to health. Practitioners worldwide are working to prevent an epidemic of an unknown and potentially fatal infectious disease. Since February 2003 the number of SARS cases and the countries affected has continued to increase.4
NIST Passive Intermodulation Measurement Comparison for Wireless Base Station Equipment

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has initiated a passive intermodulation measurement comparison for the U.S. wireless industry. The goal is to determine the agreement in the measurements of third-order intermodulation products of passive devices made by participating companies for currently deployed communication bands. We provide the details of this comparison along with preliminary results. In addition, we present a model describing third-order intermodulation distortion within a cable assembly and show how the cable and load affect passive intermodulation measurements.
EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED SOLUTIONS TO THE STATIONARY ONE-DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION

We present all stationary solutions to the nonlinear Schrodinger equation in one dimension for box and periodic boundary conditions. For both repulsive and attractive nonlinearity we find expected and unexpected solutions. Expected solutions are those that are in direct analogy with those of the linear Schodinger equation under the same boundary conditions. Unexpected solutions are those that have no such analogy. We give a physical interpretation for the unexpected solutions. We discuss the properties of all solution types and briefly relate them to experiments on the dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensate.
Multimodal Retinal Imaging

A multimodal retinal imaging system that combines the merits of photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, and autofluorescence imaging has been developed.
The pharmacokinetics of letrozole in brain and brain tumor in rats with orthotopically implanted C6 glioma, assessed using intracerebral microdialysis

Purpose Emerging evidence suggests that primary and metastatic brain tumors may be sensitive to hormonal manipulations. However, the pharmacokinetics of compounds against such targets in the brain and, more importantly, in the brain tumor are not well characterized. Here, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of letrozole, a third-generation aromatase inhibitor, in the normal brain and in orthotopically implanted C6 glioma in Sprague–Dawley rats.
Steroid interactions with progesterone-binding globulin

Abstract The progesterone-binding globulin (PBG) of the pregnant guinea pig has been purified on sulfopropyl Sephadex and subsequent affinitychroma tography on 19-nortestosterone-Sepharose. A pure glycoprotein of molecular weight 88,000 was obtained that contained about 70% carbohydrate. PBG is polydisperse and has a polypeptide core of about 27,000 daltons. It has one binding site for progesterone ( K a 37 ° = 4 × 10 8 M −1 ). Studies on chemical modification of PBG show the involvement of tryptophan, lysine, and tyrosine in steroid binding. In typical reactions, the binding sites were inactivated by the chemical substitutions; complex formation with progesterone protected the binding site from the modification. Association of progesterone or other steroids with PBG results in conformational changes as seen from circular dichroism and ultraviolet difference spectra. The intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of PBG is quenched by more than 80% when one mol progesterone is bound. This is the basis for a fluorescence quenching titration method to determine binding site concentrations and association constants. Association and dissociation rate constants were measured by stopped-flow fluorescence techniques; it was found that the affinity of the steroid-PBG complexes is controlled by the rate of dissociation. Steroid complexes of high-affinity binders from serum have generally higher dissociation rates than those of cellular receptor proteins. This is in harmony with the physiological functions of the two types of steroid-binding proteins.
Studies on the biochemical aspects of the ‘disulfiram-like’ reaction induced by oral hypoclycemics

Abstract In vitro experiments, using rat liver homogenates, were designed to examine certain of the proposed enzymatic mechanisms for the interaction of oral hypglycemic drugs with monoamine and ethanol metabolism. The oxidative degradation of tryptamine was studied by measuring indoleacetic acid (IAA) production and conclusions were drawn with regard to the activity of monosmine oxidase, aldehyde dehycrogenase and ethanol dehydrogenase. Acetohexamide, hydroxyhexamide, tolazamide, tolbutamide and chlorpropamide failed to reveal any specific inhibition of the three enzymes. Ethanol (0.2% w/v) and disulfiram decreased IAA formation, as did a lack of available aldehyde dehydrogenase and NAD, but these reductions were not enhanced by the hypoglycemic agents. The results suggest that the ‘disulfiram-like’ reaction which occurs in certain patients imbibing ethanol while receiving oral hypoglycemic drugs, depends upon some factor(s) other than, or additional to, a specific interferance with monoamine and/or ethanol metabolism.
An ab initio/RRKM study of the reaction mechanism and product branching ratios of the reactions of ethynyl radical with allene and methylacetylene

Ab initio CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-311G** calculations of the C5H5 potential energy surface have been performed to investigate the reaction mechanism of ethynyl radical (C2H) with C3H4 isomers, allene and methylacetylene. They were followed by RRKM calculations of reaction rate constants and product branching ratios under single-collision conditions. The results show that the C2H + CH2CCH2 reaction in a case of statistical behavior is expected to produce 1,4-pentadiyne (56–63%), ethynylallene (22–24%), and pentatetraene (10–15%), with the most favorable pathways including H losses from the initial HCCCH2CCH2 adduct leading to either 1,4-pentadiyne or ethynylallene, and a multistep route HCCC(CH2)2 → four-member ring → CH2CCCHCH2 → CH2CCCCH2 + H featuring a formal insertion of C2H into a double bond of allene followed by H elimination giving rise to pentatetraene. On the contrary, the C2H + CH3CCH reaction produces diacetylene + methyl (21–61%) by CH3 loss from the HCCC(CH)CH3 initial adduct as well as methyldiacetylene + H (27–56%) and ethynylallene + H (11–22%) by H eliminations from CHCCHCCH3. The calculated product branching ratios are in general agreement with the available experimental data, although some quantitative deviations from experiment and possible reasons for them are also discussed. The present calculations confirm that the C2H + C3H4 reactions proceed without entrance barriers and lead, via intermediates and transition states residing lower in energy than the initial reactants, to the C5H4 + H and C4H2 + CH3 products exothermic by 20–36 kcal mol−1, with strong dependence of the product distribution on the reacting C3H4 isomer, making these reactions fast under low-temperature conditions of Titan’s atmosphere where they can serve as a source of more complex unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Molecular orbital study of the bond-valence sum rule using Lewis-electron pair theory.

The bond-valence sum rule has been examined by molecular-orbital methods related to spin-coupling matrix theory [Okada & Fueno (1976). Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn, 49, 1524–1530], to give a new formulation of the Lewis-electron pair concept. It is shown that the `pair-coupling population' between atoms M and X exhibits the same behaviour as the bond valence between them. A quantum chemical definition for bond valence is proposed and successfully applied to Al2Cl6, Te4Cl16 and Al2Be3(SiO3)6 (beryl). Using an alternative bond-valence definition it is shown that for oxides the bond valence can possibly be taken as the double pair-coupling population.
Systematic Mutagenesis of the Leucine-rich Repeat (LRR) Domain of CCR4 Reveals Specific Sites for Binding to CAF1 and a Separate Critical Role for the LRR in CCR4 Deadenylase Activity

CCR4, a poly(A) deadenylase of the exonuclease III family, is a component of the multiprotein CCR4-NOT complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is involved in mRNA degradation. CCR4, unlike all other exonuclease III family members, contains a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motif through which it makes contact to CAF1 and other factors. The LRR residues important in contacting CAF1 were identified by constructing 29 CCR4 mutations encompassing a majority (47 of 81) of residues interstitial to the conserved structural residues. Two-hybrid and immunoprecipitation data revealed that physical contact between CAF1 and the LRR is blocked by mutation of just two α-helix/β-helix strand loop residues linking the first and second repeats. In contrast, CAF16, a potential ligand of CCR4, was abrogated in its binding to the LRR by mutations in the N terminus of the second β-strand. The LRR domain was also found to contact the deadenylase domain of CCR4, and deletion of the LRR region completely inhibited CCR4 enzymatic activity. Mutations throughout the β-sheet surface of the LRR, including those that did not specifically interfere with contacts to CAF1 or CAF16, significantly reduced CCR4 deadenylase activity. These results indicate that the CCR4-LRR, in addition to binding to CAF1, plays an essential role in the CCR4 deadenylation of mRNA.
Mitochondrial pathology in Parkinson's disease and implications for therapeutic intervention

Although the ultimate origin and role of mitochondrial pathology in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial, accumulating data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is genetic and plays an important role in neurodegeneration. PD mitochondria display abnormal electron transport chain activity, increased reactive oxygen species generation, and abnormal calcium handling. These abnormalities arise, at least in part, from information encoded by mitochondrial DNA. These processes are implicated in current models of neuronal death and validate ongoing efforts to develop mitochondrial-level pharmacologic interventions for the treatment of this disease.
Radiative forcing of organic aerosol in the atmosphere and on snow: Effects of SOA and brown carbon

Organic aerosols (OA) play an important role in climate change. However, very few calculations of global OA radiative forcing include secondary organic aerosol (SOA) or the light-absorbing part of OA (brown carbon). Here we use a global model to assess the radiative forcing associated with the change in primary organic aerosol (POA) and SOA between present-day and preindustrial conditions in both the atmosphere and the land snow/sea ice. Anthropogenic emissions are shown to substantially influence the SOA formation rate, causing it to increase by 29 Tg/yr (93%) since preindustrial times. We examine the effects of varying the refractive indices, size distributions for POA and SOA, and brown carbon fraction in SOA. The increase of SOA exerts a direct forcing ranging from −0.12 to −0.31 W m−2 and a first indirect forcing in warm-phase clouds ranging from −0.22 to −0.29 W m−2, with the range due to different assumed SOA size distributions and refractive indices. The increase of POA since preindustrial times causes a direct forcing varying from −0.06 to −0.11 W m−2, when strongly and weakly absorbing refractive indices for brown carbon are used. The change in the total OA exerts a direct forcing ranging from −0.14 to −0.40 W m−2. The atmospheric absorption from brown carbon ranges from +0.22 to +0.57 W m−2, which corresponds to 27%~70% of the black carbon (BC) absorption predicted in the model. The radiative forcing of OA deposited in land snow and sea ice ranges from +0.0011 to +0.0031 W m−2 or as large as 24% of the forcing caused by BC in snow and ice simulated by the model.
Three Novel Mutations in SQSTM1 Identified in Familial Paget's Disease of Bone

Mutations in Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) have been shown to segregate with familial Paget's disease of bone (PDB). We examined the coding sequence of SQSTM1 in five PDB pedigrees and found three novel mutations clustered around the C-terminal ubiquitin associated domain. Disruptions of the C-terminal domain of SQSTM1 seem to be a leading cause of familial PDB. Introduction: The characteristic features of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) are caused by focal areas of excessive and uncoordinated bone remodeling. A total of seven genetic loci (PDB1-PDB7) have been reported to be associated with the disease. The gene for Sequestosome 1 (p62; SQSTM1) has been identified as the causative gene for PDB3 in numerous French-Canadian families and families predominantly of British descent. To date, a total of three mutations, all affecting the ubiquitin-associated domain of SQSTM1, have been identified: a single 1215 C to T (P392L) transversion in exon 8, a T insertion in exon 8 (E396X), and a G to A mutation at the splice junction of exon 7 (IVS7 + 1). Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from blood collected from the members of five U.S. PDB pedigrees. Mutation analysis of the coding sequence of the SQSTM1 gene was performed on the proband and other key individuals in the pedigrees. Results: Four of the five families had SQSTM1 mutations. Three of these mutations were novel: a single base deletion in exon 8 at position 1210 (1210delT) resulting in a premature stop codon at amino acid 394, a single C deletion in exon 8 at position 1215 (1215delC) also resulting in a premature stop codon at amino acid 394, and a single 1200 C to T (P387L) transversion in exon 7. Conclusion: Noteworthy is the fact that these three SQSTM1 mutations, in addition to the three previously described mutations, are clustered near the C-terminal of the protein. These mutations may be acting in a dominant-negative fashion to disrupt the ubiquitin-binding function, which could result in abnormal activation of the NF-κB pathway and the subsequent activation of the osteoclasts. These findings imply that SQSTM1 mutations may play a role in the majority of familial PDB in the United States.
Calculation of high resolution electron and helium energy loss cross sections using surface vibration spectral densities

Abstract It is shown that vibrational eigenvectors (outputs of a slab calculation) are not required for the calculation of high resolution electron energy loss spectra (EELS) or helium energy loss spectra. Instead, vibrational spectral densities (outputs of a Green's function calculation) may be input directly to such calculations. This facilitates the treatment of scattering from bulk phonons as well as from surface phonons.
Characterisation of β-galactosidase isozymes of ripening peppers

Activity of β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) and isozymes of the New Mexican type pepper were assayed in ripening fruit and characterised in order to further understand the possible role this enzyme plays in fruit ripening. Total β-galactosidase activity increased in New Mexican type peppers (NM chile) as they ripened. To a lesser extent, xylosidase and β-glucosidase increased from the mature green stage to the turning stage of ripening and then decreased in the red ripe stage. Cation exchange chromatography indicated two prominent β-galactosidase peaks depending on stage of ripeness. In mature NM green chile, one large anionic, and in NM red chile, one large cationic peak was found. Isoelectric focusing-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (IEF-PAGE) separated one isozyme from mature green NM chile (pI 4.6) and an additional β-galactosidase isozyme as NM chile turned from green to red (pI 8.0). The cationic β-galactosidase isozyme from red NM chile extract had an apparent native-molecular weight of 51 kDa. The optimum pH for β-galactosidase activity in both red and green NM chile was between 3 and 4.5. Stable enzyme activity was observed from 25 to 50°C. β-Galactosidase from red NM chile had a K m of 0.87 mM and V max of 12.3 nKat, while the values for green NM chile β-galactosidase were 2.5 mM and 8.3 nKat. The heavy metal ions Ag 2+ and Hg 2+ inhibited β-galactosidase activity by 100% and 90%, respectively.
Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy: ushering in a new age of enlightenment for cellular dynamics

Originally developed for applications in physics and physical chemistry, fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy is becoming widely used in cell biology. This review traces the development of the method and describes some of the more important applications. Specifically, the methods discussed include fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), scanning FCS, dual color cross-correlation FCS, the photon counting histogram and fluorescence intensity distribution analysis approaches, the raster scanning image correlation spectroscopy method, and the Number and Brightness technique. The physical principles underlying these approaches will be delineated, and each of the methods will be illustrated using examples from the literature.
Real time analysis and priority scheduler generation for hardware-software systems with a synthesized run-time system

We present a tool, called Clara, that performs real-time analysis and priority assignment for software tasks in a mixed hardware-software system with a custom run-time scheduler. We start from a system described in tasks/threads consisting of hardware specified in Verilog and software specified in C. We obtain the worst case execution time for each individual task. Then, based on the control flow of the application, Clara uses a dynamic programmming algorithm to automatically find optimal priorities for the software tasks assuming no interrupts. Assuming the set of software tasks runs on a microprocessor in a target architecture using a template we provide for the priority scheduler and interrupt code, Clara then finds the worst case execution time for the application with interrupts allowed. Thus, this tool brings real-time analysis to a system level for a particular run-time system. Clara helps a designer minimize the worst case execution time of a mixed hardware-software application.
Ability of ceftibuten to induce the class-I β-lactamases of Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, and Enterobacter aerogenes

Abstract Ceftibuten, like cefotaxime, was observed to be a weak inducer of the class-I β-lactamases of Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens , and Enterobacter aerogenes . In contrast, cefoxitin and imipenem induced these enzymes strongly at subinhibitory concentrations.
The satellite magnetic anomaly of Ahaggar: Evidence for African plate motion

The Ahaggar volcanic province of North Central Africa is considered a region of excess heat flow (hot spot) and hence elevated Curie isotherm. Using a modified version of the Parker FFT potential field representation, magnetic signals were calculated at Magsat altitudes for models in which the African Plate is both fixed and moving. The moving-plate model extends the Curie isotherm anomaly in the direction of plate motion and provides a satisfactory match to vertical component anomaly data when the magnitude of plate velocity is 0.75 cm/yr. Although the signal levels are marginal for the scalar component anomalies of this region, the same model provides an adequate match to this data set and is clearly preferable to a fixed-plate model.
Determining The Drivers Of Student Performance In Online Business Courses

An emerging question in business education is whether all students would benefit from distance learning and if student performance can be predicted prior to enrollment in an online course based on student characteristics. In this paper, the role of student characteristics on academic performance is examined in the context two different online courses. Empirical test of a selfassessment tool on 272 students across 9 course sections, using a logistic regression framework demonstrates that end-of-semester student grades can be predicted by students' own self-reports of their learning preferences at the onset of the course. However systematic differences are found between the two courses in terms of the drivers of student performance, demonstrating the importance of a customized approach to the predictive framework presented.
Hyper-Networking of Customers, Providers, and Resources Drives New Service Business Designs: e-Commerce and Beyond

What drives new service business designs? More precisely, what could be a generic strategy to grow value cocreation among persons? The emerging network science and service science may offer an answer: comprehensively connecting, or hyper-networking, the customers, providers, and resources via digital means. This connectionist perspective has led to the Digital Connections Scaling (DCS) theory, which suggests that new service business designs arise from thrusting the connections up to span the population, deepening down to facilitate individual persons' life cycle needs, and cutting across business designs and domains to transform them. This paper develops the DCS theory into a generic strategy for designing new service businesses and justifies the strategy with empirical evidence taken from the field of e-commerce and social networking. The study then applies the proposed strategy to analyze what new models and paradigms may come next. An information systems design framework for implementing the strategy ...
Spatial Accessibility to Providers and Vaccination Compliance Among Children With Medicaid

OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between spatial accessibility to pediatric immunization providers and vaccination compliance in a low-income, urban population of children. METHODS: In 2007, we accessed the Washington, DC, Immunization Information System (IIS) to collect data on the immunization statuses and residential addresses of children who were aged 19 to 35 months and had Medicaid insurance. In addition, we calculated each child9s spatial accessibility to pediatric vaccination providers by assessing the provider-to-population ratio at each residential address. Spatial accessibility was divided into tertiles (low, medium, and high) of access. The relationship between spatial accessibility to providers and vaccination compliance was examined by using logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, type of vaccination provider, and enrollment in child care status. RESULTS: Overall for our cohort of 4195 children, 80.5% of the children were up-to-date with vaccinations. Vaccination coverage ranged from 61.6% to 100% (median: 79.2%) among different neighborhoods. Having the highest level of access to pediatric vaccination providers was associated with 36% higher odds of being up-to-date as compared with having the lowest level of access. The middle tertile of access was associated with 25% higher odds of being up-to-date. CONCLUSIONS: Within our low-income, urban population, children with higher spatial accessibility to pediatric vaccination providers were more likely to be up-to-date with vaccinations. This association may guide future studies and efforts to ensure adequate immunization coverage for children regardless of where they live.
A Comparison of VVIR and DDDR Pacing Following Cardiac Transplantation

UNLABELLED We compared the clinical course of patients paced in VVIR versus DDDR mode to determine the most appropriate method of pacing following cardiac transplantation. Pacemaker implantation was required in 9 of 90 orthotopic cardiac transplants (10%). Indications included sinus bradycardia or sinus arrest (8 patients) and AV node dysfunction (1 patient). VVIR pacemakers were implanted in four patients and DDDR in five patients. DDDR patients: The mean P wave was 1.7 mV and the mean atrial stimulation threshold was 0.8 V (at 0.5 msec). During follow-up of 20 months, two atrial lead complications developed (29% of leads in 33% of patients). No lead complications were directly related to endomyocardial biopsy. VVIR patients: All four patients developed VA conduction with mean VA time 180 msec (160-240 msec). Two patients developed pacemaker syndrome. CONCLUSIONS VA conduction and pacemaker syndrome may develop in cardiac transplant recipients paced in the VVIR mode. Dual chamber pacing is technically feasible and preferable following cardiac transplantation.
Electrospinning jets and polymer nanofibers

In electrospinning, polymer nanofibers are formed by the creation and elongation of an electrified fluid jet. The path of the jet is from a fluid surface that is often, but not necessarily constrained by an orifice, through a straight segment of a tapering cone, then through a series of successively smaller electrically driven bending coils, with each bending coil having turns of increasing radius, and finally solidifying into a continuous thin fiber. Control of the process produces fibers with nanometer scale diameters, along with various cross-sectional shapes, beads, branches and buckling coils or zigzags. Additions to the fluid being spun, such as chemical reagents, other polymers, dispersed particles, proteins, and viable cells, resulted in the inclusion of the added material along the nanofibers. Post-treatments of nanofibers, by conglutination, by vapor coating, by chemical treatment of the surfaces, and by thermal processing, broaden the usefulness of nanofibers.
Rated Effectiveness of Antidrug Letters by Drug Users and Nonusers

As part of each of several drug surveys conducted in Ohio high schools, the second-named author of this report and his survey colleagues asked each respondent to write an antidrug letter. Later, th...