cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatments for fragile X syndrome: A closer look at the data

Research into the determinants and developmental course of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has made remarkable progress over the last 25 years. However, treatments to ameliorate the symptoms of FXS have been less forthcoming. While there is optimism in the field that the pace of intervention research is quickening, there has been a bias toward psychopharmacological approaches to treatment. A closer look at the data from those investigations reveals a paucity of evidence that medications can improve intellectual and adaptive functioning in FXS, or decrease associated behavioral and/or emotional issues. Work in other related disorders (e.g., autism) has shown that dramatic improvements in intellectual and adaptive functioning, as well as behavioral and emotional problems, can occur if intensive behavioral treatment is begun early in the child's life. It is hoped that future research efforts will evaluate these intensive early intervention strategies in children with FXS, perhaps in combination with pharmacological approaches.
ℒ 1 adaptive control in an iterative learning control framework: Stability, robustness and design trade-offs

This paper introduces a modified robust iterative control framework with ℒ1 adaptive feedback for single-input single-output (SISO) linear time invariant (LTI) systems with iteration varying constant parametric uncertainties. The adaptive loop compensates for nonrepetitive effects (exogenous disturbances and/or uncertainties) and ensures that the plant, as seen from the ILC input, is sufficiently close to its nominal value for performance improvement through learning. The ℒ1 controller is reformulated to accommodate the feedforward input, resulting in an adaptation that considers changes in system response due to learning. A rigorous stability analysis is presented. Performance and trade-offs are evaluated via simulation.
The role of prostacyclin (PGI2) in metabolic hyperemia.

Abstract We explored the possibility that prostacyclin might be the dilator metabolite of postprandial hyperemia. In canine free-flow preparations, effects of prostacyclin were compared with effects of actively absorbed nutrients on hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in the small intestine. Prostacyclin was infused directly into the superior mesenteric artery for 10 minutes at 1.0 nanograms/kg-min. In absorptive study an isosmotic solution of glucose (1.0 g/l) dissolved in 0.9% NaCl was perfused through the gut lumen for 20 minutes. Prostacyclin increased total blood flow to the intestinal segment and decreased oxygen extraction, while not significantly changing either oxygen consumption or PS-product. Active cotransport of glucose and sodium increased total blood flow, oxygen extraction, oxygen consumption and PS-product. In constant flow canine gut preparations, intraarterial prostacyclin infusion decreased arterial pressure, oxygen extraction, oxygen consumption and mesenteric vascular resistance but increased venous pressure. Absorption of glucose and sodium increased oxygen extraction but decreased mesenteric vascular resistance while not affecting other parameters significantly. Since responses to prostacyclin did not coincide with responses to metabolically dependent transport of glucose and sodium, we conclude that the dilator metabolite of postprandial hyperemia is probably not prostacyclin.
Development of Contemporary Eastern Pacific Coral Reefs

An overview of oceanographic conditions prevailing in the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean suggests that the entire region is environmentally marginal for coral-reef development. The principal features of this environment are a strong, permanent, shallow thermocline and an annual north-south migration of the Intertropical Convergence resulting in wet and dry seasons. Along tropical Eastern Pacific continental margins structural coral reefs are best developed in the Gulf of Chiriqui off western Panama. These reefs are relatively small, with reef formation taking place at a maximum depth of roughly 10 m. All of the reefs are judged to have formed since sea level approached its present height some 5,000 years ago. A study of the physical environment in the Gulf of Chiriqui revealed the following. Seasonal differences in surface temperatures were small but significant (P≅0.01), with the dry-season median (Md) of 28.9°C higher than the rainy season one of 28.0°C. At all times, surface-water temperatures were within the range considered optimal for coral growth. There were also significant (P<0.05) seasonal differences in the depths of the 25°, 20°, and 18°C isotherms. The first was shallowest (Md=18.5 m) during the rainy season due to vertical mixing, while the latter two were shallowest (Mds=31.5 and 33.0 m, respectively) during the dry season due to a generalized shoaling of the thermocline. All three isotherms are closely associated with the thermocline and showed remarkable variability in depth, most likely connected with internal waves. Salinities were reduced down to depths greater than 20 m and for distances of more than 50 km from the coast. Seasonal differences were slight (0.7% S) but statistically significant (P<0.01). Turbidity during the rainy season reduces the amount of light reaching the bottom at 10 m depth roughly by a factor of three compared to the dry season. Even the dry season amount is only about one half as much as would be expected to reach the same depth on the seaward reef of a Westen Pacific atoll. These conditions of cool water a short distance below the surface, reduced salinities, and high seasonal turbidity combine to make the region a poor one for coral-reef formation. The history of the Eastern Pacific coral fauna is traced from the Cretaceous to the Holocene. The present fauna is of Indo-Western Pacific origin, having become established following (1) the final closure of the connections between the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific (Pliocene), (2) movement of the northern Line Islands by sea-floor spreading into the path of the North Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent (Pliocene), and (3) the loss of all Eastern Pacific hermatypes during the Pleistocene.
Analysing treatment means in plant tissue culture research

Many researchers set up an experiment, make measurements, do an analysis of variance, calculate the mean response for each treatment, and then try to decide if the treatment means are significantly different and why. Much too frequently, Duncan's multiple range test is used to test differences among means. It is only one of a number of techniques that can be used to examine treatment means. Some researchers are unaware of the different techniques and that the interpretation of the results of an experiment is strongly influenced by the technique used i.e. using two different techniques might produce two different interpretations of the results. Selection of the appropriate technique to use for a particular experiment depends upon the nature of the treatments and the objectives of the research. This paper discusses four techniques (ranking treatment means, multiple comparison procedures, fitting response models, and using contrasts to make planned comparisons) that can be used to examine treatment means and presents examples of the use of each one for plant tissue culture research.
Techniques for achieving optimal money supply rules in a rational expectations macroeconomic model

Abstract The monetary authority can achieve an optimal ‘combination policy’ in a rational expectations model by following a simple criterion that can be verified without knowledge of the structural parameters or the variance-covariance matrix of disturbances.
EFFECTS OF METAL-CENTERED REDUCTION ON THE STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC, AND COORDINATION PROPERTIES OF NICKEL AND COPPER OCTAETHYLISOBACTERIOCHLORINS

The structural properties of nickel and copper complexes of octaethylisobacteriochlorin (OEiBC) are investigated as part of an effort to understand the chemistry of factor 430 (F430), the nickel hydrocorphinoid cofactor of methyl coenzyme-M reductase. Both Ni[sup II] and Cu[sup II](OEiBC) undergo one-electron reductions to yield metal(I) complexes. The nature of the starting materials, the anionic metal(I) reduction products, and their ligand-binding properties are probed with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray absorption techniques. Comparison between the structures of the isoelectronic Ni[sup I] and Cu[sup II] complexes reveals that the marked distortions observed in the Ni[sup I]-macrocycle core environment, are not apparent for Cu[sup II]. Thus, the distortion of the Ni[sup I] environment does not result from an electronic configuration effect such as a Jahn-Teller distortion. X-ray absorption near-edge studies of OEiBC complexes at reduced temperatures demonstrate for the first time that N[sup I] hydroporphyrins can bind a single axial ligand. Optical and EPR spectra are found to be insensitive to the axial binding for these cases. Chemical reduction of Cu[sup II](OEiBC), using sodium amalgam, affords a C[sup I] complex that has unchanged Cu-N distances and two sodium ions coordinated on opposite sides of the OEiBC ring at Cu-Na distances ofmore » 2.89(4) A. The sodium ions can be sequestered using the crown ether 18-crown-6. 67 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.« less
Noninvasive Evaluation of Liver Disease Severity

In assessing the severity of chronic liver disease, one measures either the fibrotic structure of the liver or liver function. This article reviews the methods for evaluating the severity of liver disease noninvasively by estimating function or structure.
Distributed Estimation and State Assignment for Stochastically Interacting Robots

Abstract We consider a distributed tracking problem where agents interact locally with limited information. Each agent maintains both a discrete value and an estimate of the mean of that value taken over all agents. In earlier work, we designed an estimator that converged to the desired value with a finite variance and here, we derive a different estimator with zero variance. We design the controller and estimator separately, prove their simultaneous convergence and stability, finally demonstrate the results in simulation. While we present this work in the context of of stochastic self-assembly, the algorithm can be applied other settings.
Dental Workforce Trends and Children

Trends in the US dental workforce that may affect oral health services for children are reviewed. Overall, the number of graduates from dental schools has declined significantly over the past 13 years. Between 1986 and 1993, 6 dental schools have closed their doors, and one more has closed in 2001; only one new school opened during this time. The remaining US dental schools have experienced reductions in class sizes, and the percentage of graduating dentists declined by 40% between 1986 and 2000. Diversity in the dental profession also remains a concern. Less than 5% of incoming dental students are African American, and less than 5% are Hispanic/Latino. These percentages are far below the overall US population of African Americans (12%) and Hispanic/Latinos (11%). Currently, projections of future workforce needs are mixed and uncertain. The need for dental services is quite variable and is highly dependent on the economy. Good economic times tend to create a high demand for dental care. As the need for dental services increases, the greater the strain on the dental workforce. This decline in dental personnel and services may have far-reaching consequences among indigent populations, particularly for children from low-income families. Thus, the ability of the current workforce to respond to the dental needs of the US population is compromised by a number of factors. These factors may affect the ability of the workforce to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations; children with a high prevalence of dental caries present an especially daunting problem.
Novel in-situ synthesis and characterization of nanostructured magnesium substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCMP)

Abstract Tricalcium phosphate (TCP, Ca3(PO4)2) in its pure form cannot be synthesized under physiological conditions in normal aqueous solutions due to phase instability, resulting in its transformation to hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) in the presence of water. However, substituting magnesium in lieu of calcium is known to stabilize TCP, preventing its conversion to hydroxyapatite. There are several methods known for synthesizing magnesium substituted tricalcium phosphate (TCMP). In the present study, a novel in-situ method has been developed to synthesize β-TCMP using magnesium substituted brushite as a precursor. Substitution of 50% of calcium by magnesium results in the formation of semi-spherical nanocrystalline particles (∼ 100 nm) of brushite. Boiling the nanocrystalline brushite powder in aqueous condition for only 30 min results in the generation of rosette shaped nanocrystals (∼ 80 nm) of β-TCMP that emerge from the original brushite spheres. The β-TCMP particles exhibit a specific surface area of ∼ 200 m2/g. Details about the synthesis procedure and the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of β-TCMP from Mg-substituted brushite is further discussed.
Occupational Science and the First‐Person Perspective

Abstract The individualistic tendencies in occupational science can be explained in part by its proponents’ reliance on “the interpretive tradition” originating in Weberian sociology and phenomenological philosophy, and taking account of what an actor from his or her first‐person perspective means by an action. From within this interpretive perspective, one can take account of actors’ interrelationship with their contexts but in such a way that that relationship cannot be explained as simply the result of physical‐causal processes. An approach to occupational science based on the model of an “organism‐in‐relationship‐to‐its‐environment” may help elucidate the holistic, environmentally interconnected dimensions of occupation. But such a theoretical perspective risks overlooking the first‐person perspective of actors that mere organisms lack, that an adequate occupational science must consider, and that debates about the methods appropriate to occupational science themselves presuppose.
Pulmonary Embolization of 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate After Endoscopic Injection Therapy for Gastric Variceal Bleeding

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, a tissue adhesive that polymerizes on contact with weak bases such as blood, is being used widely outside the United States to obliterate gastric varices. Embolization of this material can occur via portosystemic shunts. We report a case of pulmonary embolization of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (an analogue of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) that occurred after endoscopic injection therapy for gastric variceal bleeding. Cyanoacrylate embolism is difficult to diagnose with computed tomographic angiography because radiopaque emboli are masked by the contrast material. It is important to distinguish these emboli from conventional thromboemboli because "glue emboli" require only symptomatic treatment. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for embolism in the setting of tachycardia, chest pain, or hypoxia after a patient undergoes endoscopic injection therapy with cyanoacrylate glue for gastric variceal bleeding. The radiologist should be alerted so that the appropriate radiographic settings are used to make the diagnosis.
Dynamic response of dolos armor units

Abstract Concrete armor units are commonly employed for the protection of shorelines and rubble structures. Their design is primarily based on hydrodynamic stability, but their structural response to wave loading is poorly understood. In this study a wave force model is presented, which includes drag, inertia, kinetic and buoyant force components, to estimate hydrodynamic loads on the concrete armor unit, dolos. These loads are employed in a three-dimensional FEM analysis to determine the dynamic states of stress in a 42-ton dolos.
Measuring Fidelity to Improve Intervention Effectiveness.

Teachers are responsible for using evidence-based practices to improve students’ academic and behavioral outcomes. Although teachers have access to a variety of resources on evidence-based practices, poor implementation can adversely affect their effectiveness. However, an inadequate student response to intervention may also be the result of a mismatch between the practice and the student’s needs. As a result, it is important for teachers to determine the degree to which they implement evidence-based practices as intended to determine if an inadequate student response is due to poor implementation or inappropriate selection of intervention. The authors discuss the importance of fidelity of implementation. Methods teachers can use to measure implementation fidelity are reported. Suggested methods are discussed and examples are provided.
Modulation of a Salt Link Does Not Affect Binding of Phosphate to Its Specific Active Transport Receptor

Electrostatic interactions are among the key forces determining the structure and function of proteins. These are exemplified in the liganded form of the receptor, a phosphate binding protein from Escherichia coli. The phosphate, completely dehydrated and buried in the receptor, is bound by 12 hydrogen bonds as well as a salt link with Arg 135. We have modulated the ionic attraction while preserving the hydrogen bonds by mutating Asp 137, also salt linked to Arg 135, to Asn, Gly, or Thr. High-resolution crystallographic analysis revealed that Gly and Thr (but not Asn) mutant proteins have incorporated a more electronegative Cl- in place of the Asp carboxylate. That no dramatic effect on phosphate affinity was produced by these ionic perturbations indicates a major role for hydrogen bonds and other local dipoles in the binding and charge stabilization of ionic ligands.
Cutaneous histiocytosis with Langerhans cell features induced by scabies : a case report

: An infant with biopsy-proven scabies developed nodular lesions. Histopathology revealed atypical histiocytes with Langerhans cell features. Within six months after treatment all skin lesions gradually disappeared. We suggest that the nodules In scabies can be due to Langerhans cell proliferation.
Comparison of arterial blood pressure in different strains of mice

The present study was performed to compare the resting level of arterial blood pressure when monitored for 24 h/day in outbred Swiss Webster (SW) and inbred C57BL/ 6J, A/J, C3HeB/FeJ, and SWR/J mice. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) varied throughout the day, with maximal values observed in the hours of darkness. Systolic (SAP), MAP, and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure averaged 122 +/- 2, 112 +/- 2, and 102 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively, in conscious SW mice (N = 6). No differences were detected in the 24-h averages of MAP between SW, C57BL/6J (N = 7), A/J (N = 5), C3HeB/FeJ (N = 5), or SWR/J (N = 7) mice maintained on a normal sodium diet. Average daily heart rate (HR) was highest in the C3HeB/FeJ (665 +/- 15 beats/min) and lowest in the C57BL/6J (594 +/- 9 beats/min). The MAP was significantly increased in SW mice administered L-NAME (133 +/- 2 mm Hg, N = 5) and significantly decreased in SW mice administered captopril (99 +/- 2 mm Hg, N = 5). These studies demonstrate similar levels of resting arterial pressure in different mouse strains under baseline conditions.
Behavioral contrast in infants

The excitatory and inhibitory capabilities of young infants were assessed with the behavioral contrast paradigm. Twenty infants received 2 days of mobile reinforcement for right footkicks in the presence of two visual cues. After achieving a criterion of stable responding on a third day, one group of infants received alternating 30-sec periods of reinforcement and nonreinforcement with one cue signalling each component of the schedule. These infants dramatically increased their rate of response when reinforcement was available; however, the expected corresponding response decrease during nonreinforcement periods was not evidenced. Control infants who continued to receive continuous reinforcement throughout the Day 3 session did not change their rate of response from criterion. All infants returned to a similar response rate on a fourth day when reinforcement was continuously available for both groups. These results imply that infants are capable of altering their behavior when exposed to changes in reinforcement density from previous reward experience. The results were further discussed in terms of the lack of observable response inhibition.
High resolution image formation through the turbulent atmosphere.

Abstract Labeyrie proposed and implemented a method for measuring star diameters with very high precision in spite of the turbulent atmosphere. We propose to modify this method so that also star maps can be obtained. This should be possible if a certain information that has been thrown away so far is utilized now too in combination with Labeyrie's information. We verify our proposal by model experiments.
Compressive properties of continuous alumina fibre/epoxy at 295 K and 77 K

Abstract The compressive behaviour of a continuous alumina fibre (FP) reinforced epoxy depends on fibre orientation and temperature. FP/epoxy with reinforcing fibres parallel to the loading direction has the highest Young's modulus and the lowest ultimate strain. Fibres in the transverse direction result in the lowest modulus but the highest ultimate strain. The behaviour of the crossply laminates is intermediate. The compressive strengths of FP/epoxy at 77 K are higher than at 295 K, while the Young's moduli remain similar to those of 295 K except for an 11% increase in the 0° laminae and an 81% increase in the 90° laminae. Fibre breakage across the specimens resulting from shear failure dominates for the 0° laminae at 295 K; fibre delamination dominates at 77 K. Delamination between fibres caused by shear failure throughout the entire thickness of specimens is the typical failure mode for the 90° laminae at 295 K and 77 K.
The Eastern Legacy: The Early History of Physical Education for Women.

The women's colleges in eastern America from their inception required calisthenics and later gymnastics as part of the curriculum. The teachers for these programs came from the schools of Dio Lewis, Dudley Sargent, and Amy Morris Homans. The Eastern Legacy is the early history of physical education for women filled with remarkable people, both women and men. Their philosophy was reflected in the type of programs established at each institution. By the early 1900s, the Eastern Legacy passed to other sections of the country as graduates of the professional schools in Boston left the area. Furthermore, professional curriculums were being established in other institutions, and consequently, new philosophies and programs emerged. From Mary Lyon to Amy Morris Homans, change and progress took place. Programs developed from calisthenics to the new gymnastics of Dio Lewis to the Sargent system and Swedish gymnastics to sports and games. Facilities expanded from small halls to magnificent gymnasiums and even dress ...
Monitoring of wildfires in boreal forests using large area AVHRR NDVI composite image data

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) composite image data, produced from AVHRR data collected in 1990, were evaluated for locating and mapping the areal extent of wildfires in the boreal forests of Alaska during that year. A technique was developed to map forest fire boundaries by subtracting a late-summer AVHRR NDVI image from an early summer scene. The locations and boundaries of wildfires within the interior region of Alaska were obtained from the Alaska Fire Service, and compared to the AVHRR-derived fire-boundary map. It was found that AVHRR detected 89.5 percent of all fires with sizes greater than 2000 ha with no false alarms and that, for most cases, the general shape of the fire boundary detected by AVHRR matched those mapped by field observers. However, the total area contained within the fire boundaries mapped by AVHRR were only 61 percent of those mapped by the field observers. However, the AVHRR data used in this study did not span the entire time period during which fires occurred, and it is believed the areal estimates could be improved significantly if an expanded AVHRR data set were used.
The Power of Positivity: Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The current study uses the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the predictors of relationship satisfaction for mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Sixty-seven couples completed measures of optimism, benefit finding, coping strategies, social support, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated that parent's positive strengths predicted better personal relationship satisfaction. Moreover, parents' benefit finding, use of emotional support, and perceived social support from their partner also predicted their partner's relationship satisfaction. The results of this study highlight the importance of focusing on positive factors that can enhance relationship quality. Implications for the development of parent-focused interventions are discussed.
DISC Predictive Scales (DPS): Factor Structure and Uniform Differential Item Functioning Across Gender and Three Racial/Ethnic Groups for ADHD, Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms

The factor structure and potential uniform differential item functioning (DIF) among gender and three racial/ethnic groups of adolescents (African American, Latino, White) were evaluated for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptom scores of the DISC Predictive Scales (DPS; Leung et al., 2005; Lucas et al., 2001). Primary caregivers reported on DSM-IV ADHD, CD, and ODD symptoms for a probability sample of 4,491 children from three geographical regions who took part in the Healthy Passages study (mean age = 12.60 years, SD = 0.66). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the expected 3-factor structure was tenable for the data. Multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) modeling revealed uniform DIF for three ADHD and 9 ODD item scores, but not for any of the CD item scores. Uniform DIF was observed predominantly as a function of child race/ethnicity, but minimally as a function of child gender. On the positive side, uniform DIF had little impact on latent mean differences of ADHD, CD, and ODD symptomatology among gender and racial/ethnic groups. Implications of the findings for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Utility of Dual-modality Bioluminescence and MRI in Monitoring Stem Cell Survival and Impact on Post Myocardial Infarct Remodeling

Rationale and Objectives Firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene is an authentic marker for surviving stem cells. However, it is unable to visualize the intramyocardial delivery of stem cells or their impact on cardiac function. The investigators demonstrate that bioluminescence imaging (BLI) combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows better assessment of cell delivery and the impact on post–myocardial infarction remodeling. Materials and Methods Murine embryonic stem cells (0.3 million) were double-labeled with Fluc and superparamagnetic iron oxide particles and injected into the infarct border zone of athymic rat hearts. BLI and MRI were performed serially up to 2 months after injection, followed by immunohistochemistry. Results Dual-modality imaging was able to verify the initial intramyocardial delivery of the cells and their survival status. Over time, BLI signal increased in seven of nine hearts and disappeared in the other two hearts. The divergence of BLI signal over time was supported by MRI findings. Left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening estimated by MRI suggested that cell engraftment mediated a positive impact on post–myocardial infarction remodeling. Two months after intramyocardial injection, superparamagnetic iron oxide–associated signals facilitated the localization of the injection site. Conclusions Dual-modality imaging has the unique ability to monitor cell delivery, survival status, graft morphology, and impact on post–myocardial infarction remodeling.
Control Of Welding Using Optical Sensing

Optical sensor technology for arc welding control is critically reviewed. The basic sensing and control problems associated with arc welding are presented with joint tracking as the primary emphasis. The problem of imaging of the weld area and design of optics is considered including the unique coaxial optical system. General versus structured illumination is reviewed, with the various approaches described. Conclusions are drawn relative to the present state of the technology and expectations for the future.
Automated object detection for astronomical images

Sponsored by the National Aeronautical Space Association (NASA), the Synergetic Education and Research in Enabling NASA-centered Academic Development of Engineers and Space Scientists (SERENADES) Laboratory was established at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). An important on-going research activity in this lab is to develop an easy-to-use image analysis software with the capability of automated object detection to facilitate astronomical research. This paper presented a fast object detection algorithm based on the characteristics of astronomical images. This algorithm consists of three steps. First, the foreground and background are separated using histogram-based approach. Second, connectivity analysis is conducted to extract individual object. The final step is post processing which refines the detection results. To improve the detection accuracy when some objects are blocked by clouds, top-hat transform is employed to split the sky into cloudy region and non-cloudy region. A multi-level thresholding algorithm is developed to select the optimal threshold for different regions. Experimental results show that our proposed approach can successfully detect the blocked objects by clouds.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
MukEF Is Required for Stable Association of MukB with the Chromosome

MukB is a bacterial SMC(structural maintenance of chromosome) protein required for correct folding of the Escherichia coli chromosome. MukB acts in complex with the two non-SMC proteins, MukE and MukF. The role of MukEF is unclear. MukEF disrupts MukB-DNA interactions in vitro. In vivo, however, MukEF stimulates MukB-induced DNA condensation and is required for the assembly of MukB clusters at the quarter positions of the cell length. We report here that MukEF is essential for stable association of MukB with the chromosome. We found that MukBEF forms a stable complex with the chromosome that copurifies with nucleoids following gentle cell lysis. Little MukB could be found with the nucleoids in the absence or upon overproduction of MukEF. Similarly, overproduced MukEF recruited MukB-green fluorescent protein (GFP) from its quarter positions, indicating that formation of MukB-GFP clusters and stable association with the chromosome could be mechanistically related. Finally, we report that MukE-GFP forms foci at the quarter positions of the cell length but not in cells that lack MukB or overproduce MukEF, suggesting that the clusters are formed by MukBEF and not by its individual subunits. These data support the view that MukBEF acts as a macromolecular assembly, a scaffold, in chromosome organization and that MukEF is essential for the assembly of this scaffold.
Near speed-of-light signaling over on-chip electrical interconnects

The propagation limits of electrical signals for systems built with conventional silicon processing are explored. A design which takes advantage of the inductance-dominated high-frequency regime of on-chip interconnect is shown capable of transmitting data at velocities near the speed of light. In a 0.18-/spl mu/m six-level aluminum CMOS technology, an overall delay of 283 ps for a 20-mm-long line, corresponding to a propagation velocity of one half the speed of light in silicon dioxide, has been demonstrated. This approach offers a five times improvement in delay over a conventional repeater-insertion strategy.
Anchoring-and-adjustment bias in communication of disease risk.

Over the next decade, advances in genomics will make it increasingly possible to provide patients with personalized, genetic-based risks of common diseases, allowing them the opportunity to take preventive steps through behavioral changes. However, previous research indicates that people may insufficiently adjust their subjective risk to the objective risk value communicated to them by a healthcare provider, a phenomenon called anchoring-and-adjustment bias. In this narrative review, we analyze existing research on how patients process disease-risk information, and the processing biases that may occur, to show that the bias observed in disease-risk communication is potentially malleable to change. We recommend that, to reduce this bias and change patients’ misperceptions of disease risk in clinical settings, future studies investigate the effects of forewarning patients about the bias, tailoring risk information to their numeracy level, emphasizing social roles, increasing motivation to form accurate risk perception, and reducing social stigmatization, disease worry and information overload.
Sex-linked lethal mutations induced in Drosophila melanogaster by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

One of the most potent carcinogens, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), was tested for the induction of mutations in 2 strains of Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae were fed mixtures containing DMBA, peanut oil and solubilizing agents in darkness. After emergence the males were mated with Basc or FM7a females to test for sex-linked lethals. For Canton-S males, all DMBA treatments produced highly significant increases in mutation frequencies over controls. DMBA was slightly mutagenic for Oregon-R males.
Impact of the summer 2004 Alaska fires on top of the atmosphere clear-sky radiation fluxes

[1] In this study we estimate the radiative impact of wildfires in Alaska during the record wildfire season of 2004 by integrating model simulations and satellite observations of the top of the atmosphere (TOA) radiative fluxes and aerosol optical depth. We compare results for the summer of 2004 to results for the summer of 2000 when fire activity in the boreal zone was low. Both observations and model show a decrease in TOA clear-sky fluxes over the Alaska fire region during summer 2004 of -7 ± 6 W m -2 and -10 ± 4 W m -2 , respectively. About two thirds of the change occurs in the longwave, and one third in the shortwave, spectral range. On the bases of detailed model analysis we estimate that the changes in the longwave flux are predominantly explained by a higher surface temperature in summer 2004 compared to 2000. The change in the shortwave flux is largely caused by scattering of solar radiation on organic carbon aerosols emitted from the 2004 fires. This cooling is somewhat mitigated by the warming effect due to absorbing black carbon aerosols emitted from the fires and to a lesser extent by ozone and other greenhouse gases produced and released from the fires. Sensitivity studies with varying aerosol emission scenarios indicate that the ratio of black to organic carbon aerosol emissions of the boreal fires used in this study needs to be increased considerably to match both observations of aerosol optical depth and TOA radiation fluxes, or the biomass burning aerosols must be considerably more absorbing than parameterized in the model. While this study cannot resolve the cause of this discrepancy, it presents a powerful methodology to constrain aerosol emissions. This methodology will benefit from future improvements in measurements and modeling techniques.
Application of the diacetyl-monoxime thiosemicarbazide method to the analysis of urea in estuarine sediments

Abstract A new method for the analysis of urea in marine sediments using diacetyl-monoxime and thiosemicarbazide in the presence of strong acid resulted in a sensitive and highly reproducible assay regardless of sediment type. The occurrence and distribution of urea in estuarine sediments off the New Jersey coast was monitored in an attempt to discern the importance of this compound as a combined source of nitrogen. From mid-1972 through the end of 1973, urea levels were detected which did not exceed 32·8 μg urea N/g dry sediment. Continued sampling through 1974 revealed significantly higher urea concentrations (>400 μg urea N/g dry sediment) while the total nitrogen present remained constant. Also, a fairly regular seasonal pattern was observed with higher urea levels found in winter and lower levels occurring in spring-summer. These results may indicate a change to a more polluted ecosystem.
Sarcomere Mechanics in the Stress Fiber

Actin filaments inside endothelial cells assemble into tensed bundles called stress fibers. Stress fibers are observed in vivo in a variety of tissues including the aorta, the heart, the spleen, the eye, and hair follicles. Sarcomeres are the force generating units of stress fibers and are responsible for generating intracellular tension. Little is known about the mechanical behavior of individual sarcomeres in living cells. Using femtosecond laser ablation to sever individual stress fibers in living capillary endothelial cells, we are able to measure the mechanics of sarcomeres in living cells. Our results indicate that the length of a sarcomere after severing decreases in two phases- an initial elastic response, followed by slower contraction at constant speed. The latter phase, interpreted as active myosin-mediated contraction, ceases abruptly after a minimum sarcomere length is achieved, suggesting a rigid resistance that prevents further contraction. We model this with an equivalent mechanical circuit, allowing us to estimate the speed of myosin motor walking in sarcomeres for the first time. We find that this speed ranges from 0.02 to 0.1 microns/s, which compares well with in vitro measurements. Our analysis suggests a novel mechanical model of a sarcomere that includes an active force generating component in parallel with an infinite barrier and in series with a stiff elastic spring.
Teaching Consumer-Oriented Ethnographic Research

Despite an increasing demand for marketing researchers familiar with ethnographic methods, ethnographic consumer research has received little coverage in current marketing curricula. The innovation discussed in the present paper addresses this problem: it introduces the notion of "cultural relativism" and gives students hands-on experience in conducting cultural analysis of consumer products using ethnographic interview data. The instructional innovation consists of a 75-minute class session and a group project made up of three interim assignments. Assessment results from a marketing research class show that students understood the value of ethnographic consumer research and gained useful experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting ethnographic data.
Impression management, cognitive demand, and interpersonal sensitivity

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of cognitive demand on interpersonal sensitivity in initial interactions between unacquainted subjects. It was hypothesized that the increased cognitive demand created by initiating an unfavorable (vs. favorable) impression would lead to decreased accuracy in inferences made about an interaction partner. Forty-six pairs of subjects were run in a 2 (favorable or unfavorable impression) × 2 (male dyad or female dyad) factorial design. One member of each subject pair was randomly assigned the perceiver role and given the impression-management instructions. When the interaction was finished, subjects rated themselves and their partner on seven dimensions (e.g., comfortable, friendly, dominant, etc.). Subjects also rated how they thought their partners perceived them on these same dimensions. Two accuracy scores were determined within pairs by correlating: (a) the perceiver’s ratings of the target with the target’s rating of self (direct perspective), and (b) the perceiver’s rating of “my partner thought I felt” with the target’s rating of the perceiver (meta-perspective). The hypothesis was supported in that favorable impression perceivers were significantly more accurate on the meta-perspective judgments than were the unfavorable impression perceivers. In addition, the favorable impression perceivers recalled more descriptive characteristics of the targets than did the unfavorable impression perceivers. The results of the study indicate that a more difficult, impression-management task reduced accuracy in interpersonal perception.
Progress in the modeling of alluvial fans

Alluvial fans are fan-shaped zones of sediment deposition associated with a transition from an erosional or transportational upland to a depositional basin. The agents of formation of alluvial fans may be debris flows, channelized fluvial flows or unchannelized sheet flows. The debris flows may range from dense ones carrying boulders to relatively thin mud flows. The fluvial flows may be in the meandering, wandering, anastomosing or braided configuration, and may be transitional to unchannelized sheet flows or mud flows. Here a description of the many manifestations of alluvial fans is presented. The factors controlling fan development are discussed. Engineering problems associated with fans are introduced. Progress in the experimental, theoretical and numerical modeling of fans is reviewed. Finally, suggestions for future research are presented.
Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in whole/chocolate/skim-milk and infant formula using solid-phase extraction with capillary gas chromatography/flame photometric detection

Twenty nine organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are identified on a DB-17 capillary column using gas chromatography-flame photometric detection (GC-FPD). An acetone-acetonitrile mixture is used to initially extract OPPs from milk and infant formula samples, followed by partition of the analytes into dichloromethane (DCM). Dichloromethane is removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue taken up in acetonitrile (ACN) for cleanup on a C-18 (octadecylsiloxane bonded silica) (SPE) cartridge. ACN eluate is evaporated under nitrogen and the residue taken up in acetone for GC-FPD determination. Initial studies showed mean recoveries for 28 of 29 OPPs in whole milk fortified at 0.10 ppm ranged between 69 and 99% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.0–9.7%. Whole/chocolate/skim-milk and four infant formula products fortified at 0.02 ppm gave mean recoveries of 64–103% with RSDs between 1.9 and 20.9% for 24 of 29 OPPs. Excluding skim milk, recoveries for Dichlorvos, Methamidophos, Mevinphos E, and Acephate ranged between 47 and 89%. Sample extracts were extremely clean and posed no difficulty to the GC system. The procedure is faster and less costly than Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) procedures and allows for determination of a broad spectrum of OPPs.
Selection for resistance, reversion towards susceptibility and synergism of chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

BACKGROUND: Obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), is an economic pest of pome fruits throughout North America. Repeated applications of broad-spectrum insecticides have resulted in the development of resistance, cross-resistance and multiple resistance in this pest. Studies were conducted to determine the possibility of resistance evolution, stability of resistance and the effect of metabolic synergists on toxicity of new reduced-risk insecticides chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in C. rosaceana. RESULTS: Larvae of C. rosaceana were selected for resistance to chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in the laboratory. Significant levels of resistance to each insecticide were observed after 12 generations of selection. In the absence of selection pressure, susceptibility of a subset of larvae from both chlorantraniliprole- and spinetoram-selected populations reverted to preselection levels after five and six generations respectively, indicating that resistance to both chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram was unstable in C. rosaceana. In synergist bioassays performed after 12 generations of selection, S,S,S-tributylphosphoro trithioate (DEF) and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergized the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram respectively, suggesting the involvement of esterases in chlorantraniliprole resistance and the involvement of mixed-function oxidases in spinetoram resistance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram could be incorporated into C. rosaceana resistance management programs by using rotational strategies. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Measuring Bulk Flow of Galaxy Clusters Using Kinematic Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect: Prediction for Planck

We predict the performance of the Planck satellite in determining the bulk flow through kinetic Sunyaev-Zeldovich (kSZ) measurements. As velocity tracers, we use ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) clusters as well as expected cluster catalogs from the upcoming missions Planck and eRosita (All-Sky Survey: EASS). We implement a semi-analytical approach to simulate realistic Planck maps as well as Planck and eRosita cluster catalogs. We adopt an unbiased kSZ filter (UF) and matched filter (MF) to maximize the cluster kSZ signal-to-noise ratio. We find that the use of Planck cosmic microwave background maps in conjunction with the currently existing ROSAT cluster sample improves current upper limits on the bulk flow determination by a factor {approx}5 ({approx}10) when using the MF (UF). The accuracy of bulk flow measurement increases with the depth and abundance of the cluster sample: for an input bulk velocity of 500 km s{sup -1}, the UF recovered velocity errors decrease from 94 km s{sup -1} for RASS, to 73 km s{sup -1} for Planck, and to 24 km s{sup -1} for EASS; while the systematic bias decreases from 44% for RASS, 5% for Planck, to 0% for EASS. The 95% upper limit for the recovered bulk flow direction {Delta}{alpha}more » ranges between 4{sup 0} and 60{sup 0} depending on cluster sample and adopted filter. The kSZ dipole determination is mainly limited by the effects of thermal SZ emission in all cases but the one of EASS clusters analyzed with the unbiased filter. This fact makes the UF preferable to the MF when analyzing Planck maps.« less
Coronal mass ejections: Initiation and detection

Abstract Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large-scale magnetic structures expelled from the Sun due to MHD processes involving interaction between plasma and magnetic field in closed field regions. I provide a summary of the observational signatures and current models on CME initiation. I also discuss the multiwavelength signatures of CMEs, which have helped us obtain a global picture of the CME phenomenon in the inner heliosphere.
Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of solid PETN

The thermal decomposition of PETN below its melting point has been investigated. Separate monitoring of six product gases allowed individual initial rates of reaction and activation energies to be calculated. The activation energies for the production of both N/sub 2/O and H/sub 2/O are between 50 and 56 kcal.mol/sup -1/, pointing to a single process operant over the entire temperature range 363 to 408 K. The other four observed products have activation energies that are significantly higher. The activation energies for CO/sup 2/ and N/sub 2/ formation are 65 to 66 kcal.mol/sup -1/ while those for the production of CO and (NO + NO/sub 2/) are 71 to 75 kcal.mol/sup -1/. Whether these values represent two or only one additional mechanism is not clear, however, for the 2sigma width uncertainty limits overlap. Thr processes or process involved in the formation of C0/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, CO, and (NO + NO/sub 2/) appear(s) to change at 373 K, as a dramatic drop in activation energies is observed at lower temperatures.