cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volatile profiling reveals intracellular metabolic changes in Aspergillus parasiticus : veA regulates branched chain amino acid and ethanol metabolism

Filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus produce a variety of natural products, including aflatoxin, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known. Aflatoxin biosynthesis, one of the most highly characterized secondary metabolic pathways, offers a model system to study secondary metabolism in eukaryotes. To control or customize biosynthesis of natural products we must understand how secondary metabolism integrates into the overall cellular metabolic network. By applying a metabolomics approach we analyzed volatile compounds synthesized by Aspergillus parasiticus in an attempt to define the association of secondary metabolism with other metabolic and cellular processes. Volatile compounds were examined using solid phase microextraction - gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the wild type strain Aspergillus parasiticus SU-1, the largest group of volatiles included compounds derived from catabolism of branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine); we also identified alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and lipid-derived volatiles. The number and quantity of the volatiles produced depended on media composition, time of incubation, and light-dark status. A block in aflatoxin biosynthesis or disruption of the global regulator veA affected the volatile profile. In addition to its multiple functions in secondary metabolism and development, VeA negatively regulated catabolism of branched chain amino acids and synthesis of ethanol at the transcriptional level thus playing a role in controlling carbon flow within the cell. Finally, we demonstrated that volatiles generated by a veA disruption mutant are part of the complex regulatory machinery that mediates the effects of VeA on asexual conidiation and sclerotia formation. 1) Volatile profiling provides a rapid, effective, and powerful approach to identify changes in intracellular metabolic networks in filamentous fungi. 2) VeA coordinates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with catabolism of branched chain amino acids, alcohol biosynthesis, and β-oxidation of fatty acids. 3) Intracellular chemical development in A. parasiticus is linked to morphological development. 4) Understanding carbon flow through secondary metabolic pathways and catabolism of branched chain amino acids is essential for controlling and customizing production of natural products.
A monoclonal antibody that recognizes the E domain of staphylococcal protein A

Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) binds Fcγ and VH3 clan Fab domains of human and animal immunoglobulin (Ig) with each of its five Ig binding domains (IgBDs), thereby supporting Staphylococcus aureus escape from opsonophagocytic killing and suppressing adaptive B cell responses. The variant SpAKKAA cannot bind Ig yet retains antigenic properties that elicit SpA-neutralizing antibodies and disease protection in mice, whereas S. aureus infection or SpA-immunization cannot elicit neutralizing antibodies. As a test for this model, we analyzed here mAb 358A76, which was isolated from SpA-immunized mice. Unlike SpAKKAA-derived mAbs, mAb 358A76 binds only the first IgBD (E) but not any of the other four IgBDs (D-A-B-C) and its binding can neutralize only the E domain of SpA, which does not provide disease protection in mice. These results are in agreement with a model whereby wild-type SpA-immunization generates a limited antibody response without neutralizing and/or disease protective attributes.
Development of small-diameter vascular grafts.

Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery and peripheral vascular pathologies, is the leading cause of mortality in the United States and Western countries. There is a pressing need to develop small-diameter vascular vessels for bypass surgery and other vascular reconstructive procedures. Tissue engineering offers the prospect of being able to meet the demand for replacement of diseased vessels. Significant advances have been made in recent studies and provide confidence that success is attainable. For instance, a completely cellular approach culturing cells into tissue sheets and wrapping these layers was able to form a layered cellular vascular graft with impressive strength. In our experiments, decellularization and heparin immobilization grafts from porcine tissues implanted in a canine model could be repopulated from the host cells, indicating the grafts’ potential to develop into living tissues that can adapt and respond to changes in the body. This review summarizes the current status of vascular grafts used clinically, updates the most recent developments on vascular tissue engineering, and discusses the challenges for the future.
Interaction of boranes. The diborane-pentaborane (9) reaction

Abstract A reinterpretation of existing data reaffirms the conclusion that pentaborane (9) is an intermediate in the formation of decaborane.
Triangles in 3-connected matroids

A collection F of 3-connected matroids is triangle-rounded if, whenever M is a 3-connected matroid having a minor in F, and T is a 3-element circuit of M, then M has a minor which uses T and is isomorphic to a member of F. An efficient theorem for testing a collection of matroids for this property is presented. This test is used to obtain several results including the following extension of a result of Asano, Nishizeki, and Seymour. Let T be a 3-element circuit of a 3-connected binary nonregular matroid M with at least eight elements. Then M has a minor using T that is isomorphic to S8 or the generalized parallel connection across T of F7 and M(K4).
Current Management of the Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome is a challenging clinical problem that benefits from a multidisciplinary approach. Much progress has recently been made in all aspects of management. Medical intestinal rehabilitation should be the initial treatment focus, and several new potential pharmacologic agents are being investigated. Surgical rehabilitation using nontransplant procedures in selected patients may further improve intestinal function. Intestinal lengthening procedures are particularly promising. Intestinal transplantation has increasingly been used with improving success in patients with life-threatening complications of intestinal failure.
Microporous polysaccharide hemosphere absorbable hemostat use in cardiothoracic surgical procedures

Topical hemostatic agents are used to reduce bleeding and transfusion need during cardiothoracic surgery. We report our experience with Arista® AH Absorbable Hemostatic Particles (Arista® AH), a novel plant-based microporous polysaccharide hemostatic powder. Data were retrospectively collected for patients (n = 240) that received cardiothoracic surgery at our institution from January 2009 to January 2013 with (n = 103) or without (n = 137) the use of Arista® AH. Endpoints included protamine to skin closure time (hemostasis time), cardiopulmonary bypass time, quantity of Arista® AH applied, intraoperative blood product usage, intraoperative blood loss, chest tube output 48 hours postoperatively, blood products required 48 hours postoperatively, length of stay in the intensive care unit, 30-day morbidity, and 30-day mortality. 240 patients (176 M: 64 F) underwent 240 cardiothoracic procedures including heart transplantation (n = 53), cardiac assist devices (n = 113), coronary artery bypass grafts (n = 20), valve procedures (n = 19), lung transplantation (n = 17), aortic dissection (n = 8), and other (n = 10). Application of Arista® AH led to significant reduction in hemostasis time versus the untreated control group (Arista® AH: 93.4 ± 41 min. vs. Control: 107.6 ± 56 min., p = 0.02). Postoperative chest tube output in the first 48 hours was also significantly reduced (Arista® AH: 1594 ± 949 mL vs. Control: 2112 ± 1437 mL, p < 0.001), as well as transfusion of packed red blood cells (Arista® AH: 2.4 ± 2.5 units vs. Control: 4.0 ± 5.1 units, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality or postoperative complications. Use of Arista® AH in complex cardiothoracic surgery resulted in a significant reduction in hemostasis time, postoperative chest tube output, and need for postoperative blood transfusion.
RECOVERY OF NATIVE AND APPLIED AUXIN FROM THE DARK‐GROWN ‘ALASKA’ PEA SEEDLING

SCOTT, TOM K., and WINSLOW R. BRIGGS. (Stanford U., Stanford, Calif.) Recovery of native and applied auxin from the light-grown 'Alaska' pea seedling. Amer. Jour. Bot. 49 (10): 1056-1063. Illus. 1962.-The physiological status of both endogenous and exogenously applied auxin was compared in the epicotyl of the 9-day-old light-grown 'Alaska' pea (Pisum sativum L.) by means of agar-diffusion and short-term ether extraction. A detailed analysis of endogenous auxin revealed a linear basipetal decrease in diffusible auxin within the growing region. A decrease in extractable auxin occurred only within the most mature region. The capacity for uptake of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), applied in lanolin paste, was compared in different regions of the epicotyl. The fifth and most apical internode had the greatest capacity for uptake as measured by extraction. A reduced capacity was found in more basal internodes. The transport rate of applied IAA, under conditions of optimal uptake, was 10-12 mm/hr. An application of IAA for 24 hr resulted in a dramatic increase in auxin content throughout the length of the epicotyl compared to that found in the normal control. There was no apparent gradation in content from apex to base. An increase of diffusible auxin was also found, but only in the fourth and third internodes. That no such increase was detected in the basal 3 internodes suggested that the auxin transport system within this region had special properties related to a transition between shoot and root
Residential Mobility as a Social Issue and Research Topic

Traditionally, the high rate of mobility in America has been linked to such negative consequences as disintegrating communities and alienation among the populace. Recent perspectives on mobility present a more complex image of the factors underlying a population “on the move” and a more benign view of the effects of mobility. In this article we provide a backdrop for these more recent perspectives by presenting an historical overview of American mobility which includes: the image of the mobile American throughout history; the stability of high mobility rates; the changing patterns of mobility and the implications of these changes; and, a demographic profile of who moves in America. In addition, we review past theories of why people move and the limited research on the consequences of mobility, especially in terms of community pathology. This historical review “sets the stage” for the current approaches to mobility that are presented within this issue of JSI.
Comparison of evidence theory and Bayesian theory for uncertainty modeling

Abstract This paper compares Evidence Theory (ET) and Bayesian Theory (BT) for uncertainty modeling and decision under uncertainty, when the evidence about uncertainty is imprecise. The basic concepts of ET and BT are introduced and the ways these theories model uncertainties, propagate them through systems and assess the safety of these systems are presented. ET and BT approaches are demonstrated and compared on challenge problems involving an algebraic function whose input variables are uncertain. The evidence about the input variables consists of intervals provided by experts. It is recommended that a decision-maker compute both the Bayesian probabilities of the outcomes of alternative actions and their plausibility and belief measures when evidence about uncertainty is imprecise, because this helps assess the importance of imprecision and the value of additional information. Finally, the paper presents and demonstrates a method for testing approaches for decision under uncertainty in terms of their effectiveness in making decisions.
Laser-formed structures to facilitate TAB bonding

IBM Research Division, T.J. Watson Research CenterYorktown heights, New York 10598ABSTRACI'A laser heating process was used to form structures which facilitate tape automated bonding (TAB).Uniform metal spheroids were created by melting the end of each l'AB conductor intended forconnection to the terminal pads of an integrated circuit (IC). A fully automated laser tool designedand built to fabricate these structures is described. Results for lCs bonded using this technology arepresented.1._ LNTROI)UCHON'[he standard structures employed when bonding the inner leads of tape automated bonding (TAB)materials to integrated circuits are metal humps created on the terminal pads of the IC. Joiningthese planar inner TAB leads to the IC is usually accomplished hy heat and pressure in a processknown
Inflammatory changes and breakdown of microvascular integrity in early human immunodeficiency virus dementia

Increased postcontrast enhancement in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) of the central nervous system (CNS) is a predictor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia severity in HIV-infected subjects. The present study confirms this earlier finding in a mildly impaired patient cohort, and demonstrates that the increased postcontrast enhancement is correlated with increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, an inflammatory chemokine, and increased CNS levels of mI, a microglial marker. These results suggest that early CNS inflammation may underlie the microvascular changes observed, and may be a factor in the development of HIV dementia.
Assessment and Treatment of Excessive Straightening and Destructive Behavior in an Adolescent Diagnosed with Autism.

Repetitive behaviors such as excessive straightening are commonly observed among individuals with autism. Attempts to prevent these behaviors may increase the likelihood of other problem behaviors. The present study was designed to assess and treat the excessive straightening and associated destructive behaviors of a 16-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with autism and moderate mental retardation. Following a series of functional analyses, an intervention that incorporated functional communication, extinction of destructive behavior, and blocking of repetitive straightening was demonstrated to be effective in reducing straightening and destructive behavior.
Less growth with more food: How insect-prey availability changes colony demographics in the ant, Camponotus floridanus

Abstract Colonies of Camponotus floridanus were maintained on diets with three levels of access to insect prey. More insects always had linear effects on queen-influenced traits, such as increasing egg number, total egg clutch biomass and larval number, or decreasing the mean weight of individual eggs. Queens responded consistently to insect protein and nutrients and appeared to be relatively invariant in behaviour. However, worker-influenced traits, such as larval and total brood biomass and pupal numbers, were more complicated in that colonies grew fastest on intermediate levels of insect protein. Similar results in an ant/lycaenid mutualism, where colonies tending fewer amino acid-producing caterpillars grew larger as well as other social insect examples suggest that larvae serve multiple functions in a colony, one of which may be as nutrient storage vessels to be cannibalized when needed. From a survey of social insect data, cannibalism appears to be more prevalent in colonies than previously appreciated. However, for a multiple-function hypothesis to explain observed colony growth phenomena, it implies that adult workers pay a survival cost to maintain extra brood. Whether such trade-offs do occur should be of considerable interest for future research.
First report of Rhizomonas suberifaciens causing corky root of lettuce in Australia

Typical symptoms of corky root were observed on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in Queensland, Australia. Slowgrowing bacteria with colonies similar to strains of Rhizomonas suberifaciens or other Rhizomonas species were isolated from lettuce seedlings which had been inoculated with an extract from soil adhering to lettuce roots with corky root symptoms. DNA from all strains was tested for DNA homology with DNA from strain CAI of R. suberifaciens and strain W14 of Rhizomonas sp. Twenty seven strains had moderate (29.2–57.7%) to high (59.9–80.9%) DNA homology with strain CAI and slight (4.8–10.8%) DNA homology with strain WI4. All of these strains induced typical symptoms of corky root on lettuce seedlings, cv. Salinas, and tested positive in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal antibody MAb-Rs1 specific for R. suberifaciens. This is the first report of R. suberifaciens causing corky root of lettuce in Australia.
Paradigm Shifts in Cancer Vaccine Therapy

Cancer vaccines constitute a unique therapeutic modality in that they initiate a dynamic process involving the host's immune response. Consequently, (a) repeated doses (vaccinations) over months may be required before patient clinical benefit is observed and (b) there most likely will be a "dynamic balance" between the induction and maintenance of host immune response elements to the vaccinations vs. host/tumor factors that have the potential to diminish those responses. Thus "patient response" in the form of disease stabilization and prolonged survival may be more appropriate to monitor than strictly adhering to "tumor response" in the form of Response Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. This can be manifested in the form of enhanced patient benefit to subsequent therapies following vaccine therapy. This article will review these phenomena unique to cancer vaccines with emphasis on prostate cancer vaccines as a prototype for vaccine therapy. The unique features of this modality require the consideration of paradigm shifts both in the way cancer vaccine clinical trials are designed and in the way patient benefit is evaluated.
Age and living conditions as related to perceptions of ambiguous figures.

For ambiguous figures, reversing and embedded/hidden subfigures, data were obtained from four groups of 20 subjects each varying in age (young or elderly) and living environments (in college, in th...
The Analysis Sensitivity to Tropical Winds from the Global Weather Experiment

The global scale divergent and rotational flow components of the Global Weather Experiment (GWE) are diagnosed from three different analyses of the data. The rotational flow shows closer agreement between the analyses than does the divergent flow. Although the major outflow and inflow centers are similarly placed in all analyses, the global kinetic energy of the divergent wind varies by about a factor of 2 between different analyses while the global kinetic energy of the rotational wind varies by only about 10 percent between the analyses. A series of real data assimilation experiments has been performed with the GLA general circulation model using different amounts of tropical wind data during the First Special Observing Period of the Global Weather Experiment. In exeriment 1, all available tropical wind data were used; in the second experiment, tropical wind data were suppressed; while, in the third and fourth experiments, only tropical wind data with westerly and easterly components, respectively, were assimilated. The rotational wind appears to be more sensitive to the presence or absence of tropical wind data than the divergent wind. It appears that the model, given only extratropical observations, generates excessively strong upper tropospheric westerlies. These biases are sufficiently pronounced to amplify the globally integrated rotational flow kinetic energy by about 10 percent and the global divergent flow kinetic energy by about a factor of 2. Including only easterly wind data in the tropics is more effective in controlling the model error than including only westerly wind data. This conclusion is especially noteworthy because approximately twice as many upper tropospheric westerly winds were available in these cases as easterly winds.
Clinical outcomes of a home-based medication reconciliation program after discharge from a skilled nursing facility.

Study Objective. To assess the impact of a pilot pharmacist-managed medication reconciliation program on mortality and use of health care services in patients discharged to home from a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Design. Quasi-experimental, controlled trial. Setting. Health maintenance organization (HMO). Patients. Five hundred twenty-one HMO members. Intervention. Patients were assigned to the medication reconciliation program (113 patients) or to the usual care control group (408 patients) after discharge to home from an SNF. Assignment to the medication reconciliation group or to the control group was based on provider submission of a discharge summary within 0–48 hours of discharge or more than 48 hours after discharge, respectively. Measurements and Main Results. Integrated electronic medical and pharmacy data and multivariate analyses were used to assess the medication reconciliation program with regard to its impact on postdischarge mortality, rehospitalization, and ambulatory clinic and emergency department visits. Compared with usual care during the 60 days after discharge from the SNF, patients who received the medication reconciliation intervention had an adjusted 78% reduction in the risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.88) and a trend toward an increased rate of ambulatory care visits (adjusted incidence risk ratio 1.17, 95% CI 0.99-1.37). No significant differences were noted in adjusted risks of an emergency department visit and rehospitalization (p>0.05) between the medication reconciliation and usual care groups. Conclusion. Our data support the hypothesis that a formal medication reconciliation process, with its increased coordination of information between health care providers and patients, can decrease mortality after discharge from an SNF. Our findings support the role of medication reconciliation as an integral step in the transitional care process and interests of health care accrediting agencies, such as the Joint Commission, that have included medication reconciliation as an important initiative.
Simulation analysis of a Multiple Bus Shared Memory Multiprocessor

The past several years have brought the widespread acceptance of bus based shared memory parallel computer systems. There is a great deal of research which suggests that the limitations of single bus based interconnection networks prohibit effective use of more than perhaps 16 processors. Proposals have been made for several years [7] regarding the use of multiple buses to improve overall bandwidth.In research conducted during the past two years we have studied the performance gains which could be made by providing additional buses to interconnect processors and memory. In this paper we will present the results of extensive trace driven simulation done using a sample workload. Because a detailed simulation model was created we are able to obtain fine grain detail regarding the operation of the system.
High-Frequency (95 GHz) EPR Spectroscopy To Characterize Spin Adducts

EPR spin-trapping experiments are usually carried out at X-band (9.5 GHz) because of the good concentration sensitivity and ready availability of this method. The radical precursors are then characterized from an analysis of isotropic hyperfine coupling and comparison of these coupling factors with those for the reference spin adducts. These experiments encounter two major challenges: (i) spin adducts from many carbon-centered free radicals have g factors that are nearly the same (resulting in strongly overlapping spectra at 9.5 GHz), and (ii) measurable hyperfine couplings correspond to interactions of the electron spin with just the nearest nuclei. Therefore, very little or no information is obtained on the overall structure of the spin adduct molecule. Some of these difficulties can be overcome by carrying out spin-trapping experiments at 10-fold higher frequency, 95 GHz (W-band). Examples of two spin adducts with nearly the same isotropic g factors (Δgiso = 1.2 × 10-4) are the benzene solutions of ph...
Shear-induced reorganization of renal proximal tubule cell actin cytoskeleton and apical junctional complexes

In this study, we demonstrate that fluid shear stress (FSS)-induced actin cytoskeletal reorganization and junctional formation in renal epithelial cells are nearly completely opposite the corresponding changes in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) [Thi MM et al. (2004) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:16483–16488]. Mouse proximal tubule cells (PTCs) were subjected to 5 h of FSS (1 dyn/cm2) to investigate the dynamic responses of the cytoskeletal distribution of filamentous actin (F-actin), ZO-1, E-cadherin, vinculin, and paxillin to FSS. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that FSS caused basal stress fiber disruption, more densely distributed peripheral actin bands (DPABs), and the formation of both tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs). A dramatic reinforcement of vinculin staining was found at the cell borders as well as the cell interior. These responses were abrogated by the actin-disrupting drug, cytochalasin D. To interpret these results, we propose a “junctional buttressing” model for PTCs in which FSS enables the DPABs, TJs, and AJs to become more tightly connected. In contrast, in the “bumper-car” model for ECs, all junctional connections were severely disrupted by FSS. This “junctional buttressing” model explains why a FSS of only 1/10 of that used in the EC study can cause a similarly dramatic, cytoskeletal response in these tall, cuboidal epithelial cells; and why junctional buttressing between adjacent cells may benefit renal epithelium in maximizing flow-activated, brush border-dependent, transcellular salt and water reabsorption.
Flow over high roughness elements

The mean velocity and longitudinal turbulence-intensity distributions inside the zone of and above high roughness elements were investigated experimentally. This was accomplished by using a model forest canopy. The results indicate that the flow may be divided into transition and fully-developed flow regions, followed by a short adjustment distance near the downstream terminus of the rough boundary. The transition region has a strong effect on the flow characteristics within and above the layer of roughness elements. Generally, a similar qualitative variation for both velocity and turbulence was found inside and above the roughness zone, whose influence extends to more than three times the roughness height. Investigation of the modified universal logarithmic law for describing the velocity variation above the roughness zone revealed that both of the so-called similarity parameters, i.e., friction velocity and roughness length, are not local constants. On the contrary, for a given flow and local conditions they vary drastically with height. It is suspected that this is due to the fact that the classical assumption of constant shear stress throughout the boundary layer or significant portions of it is not satisfied in the case of roughness elements many times greater in height than the thickness of the viscous wall zone.
Predicting Folding Rates from Umbrella Sampled Data

The mechanistic interpretation of continuous molecular dynamics time series faces well-understood challenges, primarily obtaining a statistically significant number of folding trajectories under a sufficiently accurate force field. To avoid some of these limitations, here we use discontinuous sampling over the folding reaction coordinate (umbrella sampling) with a greatly simplified protein model (three beads per amino acid), in implicit solvent. Such approaches give thermostatistics that are consistent with a given force field, but a specific mechanism is not (rigorously) directly inferable from thermodynamic data. Here we present some strategies towards calculating kinetic observables from discontinuously sampled data. We use the concept of foldons, and the assumption of a universal, maximum folding rate, to assign folding mechanisms with explicit kinetics.
A simple procedure for basic hydrolysis of proteins and rapid determination of tryptophan using a starch column.

Abstract The use of an alkali resistant centrifuge tube as a liner for an evacuated glass apparatus for the hydrolysis of proteins by sodium hydroxide is deseribed. The analysis of tryptophan is made with an automatic amino acid analyzer in which the medium-length resin column is replaced by a potato starch column. Tryptophan in a basic hydrolyzate can be determined within 2 hr. This procedure gave high recoveries of free tryptophan and of tryptophan added to proteins. Some proteins and food stuffs were analyzed by this method to show its applicability. This method can be used for milligram quantities of protein.
Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Fear of certain threat and anxiety about uncertain threat are distinct emotions with unique behavioral, cognitive-attentional, and neuroanatomical components. Both anxiety and fear can be studied in the laboratory by measuring the potentiation of the startle reflex. The startle reflex is a defensive reflex that is potentiated when an organism is threatened and the need for defense is high. The startle reflex is assessed via electromyography (EMG) in the orbicularis oculi muscle elicited by brief, intense, bursts of acoustic white noise (i.e., “startle probes”). Startle potentiation is calculated as the increase in startle response magnitude during presentation of sets of visual threat cues that signal delivery of mild electric shock relative to sets of matched cues that signal the absence of shock (no-threat cues). In the Threat Probability Task, fear is measured via startle potentiation to high probability (100% cue-contingent shock; certain) threat cues whereas anxiety is measured via startle potentiation to low probability (20% cue-contingent shock; uncertain) threat cues. Measurement of startle potentiation during the Threat Probability Task provides an objective and easily implemented alternative to assessment of negative affect via self-report or other methods (e.g., neuroimaging) that may be inappropriate or impractical for some researchers. Startle potentiation has been studied rigorously in both animals (e.g., rodents, non-human primates) and humans which facilitates animal-to-human translational research. Startle potentiation during certain and uncertain threat provides an objective measure of negative affective and distinct emotional states (fear, anxiety) to use in research on psychopathology, substance use/abuse and broadly in affective science. As such, it has been used extensively by clinical scientists interested in psychopathology etiology and by affective scientists interested in individual differences in emotion.
Behavioral, Metabolic, and Immune Consequences of Chronic Alcohol or Cannabinoids on HIV/AIDs: Studies in the Non-Human Primate SIV Model

HIV-associated mortality has been significantly reduced with antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV infection has become a chronic disease that frequently coexists with many disorders, including substance abuse (Azar et al. Drug Alcohol Depend 112:178-193, 2010; Phillips et al. J Gen Int Med 16:165, 2001). Alcohol and drugs of abuse may modify host-pathogen interactions at various levels including behavioral, metabolic, and immune consequences of HIV infection, as well as the ability of the virus to integrate into the genome and replicate in host cells. Identifying mechanisms responsible for these interactions is complicated by many factors, such as the tissue specific responses to viral infection, multiple cellular mechanisms involved in inflammatory responses, neuroendocrine and localized responses to infection, and kinetics of viral replication. An integrated physiological analysis of the biomedical consequences of chronic alcohol and drug use or abuse on disease progression is possible using rhesus macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a relevant model of HIV infection. This review will provide an overview of the data gathered using this model to show that chronic administration of two of the most commonly abused substances, alcohol and cannabinoids (Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol; THC), affect host-pathogen interactions.
Determination of contributors to coal seam structure in Sullivan County, Indiana

Abstract The structure of coal seams in Sullivan County, Indiana is subject to local variability controlled by differential compaction. Underlying Silurian reefs contribute to the maximum vertical variation and the underlying Mississippian unconformity surface controls the distribution of the most extensive and mappable structural features. The vertical magnitude, orientation, and lateral extent of the features should be considered during mine layout. Potential underlying Silurian reefs can be distinguished from other contributors to coal seam structure for the purposes of petroleum exploration.
Molecular analysis of the interaction between staphylococcal virulence factor Sbi-IV and complement C3d.

Staphylococcus aureus expresses numerous virulence factors that aid in immune evasion. The four-domain staphylococcal immunoglobulin binding (Sbi) protein interacts with complement component 3 (C3) and its thioester domain (C3d)-containing fragments. Recent structural data suggested two possible modes of binding of Sbi domain IV (Sbi-IV) to C3d, but the physiological binding mode remains unclear. We used a computational approach to provide insight into the C3d-Sbi-IV interaction. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that the first binding mode (PDB code 2WY8) is more robust than the second (PDB code 2WY7), with more persistent polar and nonpolar interactions, as well as conserved interfacial solvent accessible surface area. Brownian dynamics and steered MD simulations revealed that the first binding mode has faster association kinetics and maintains more stable intermolecular interactions compared to the second binding mode. In light of available experimental and structural data, our data confirm that the first binding mode represents Sbi-IV interaction with C3d (and C3) in a physiological context. Although the second binding mode is inherently less stable, we suggest a possible physiological role. Both binding sites may serve as a template for structure-based design of novel complement therapeutics.
Electron content power spectral estimates: Periods of 2 days to 12 year

Abstract The power spectra of the daily peak electron content measured at Hawaii are estimated via covariance estimations, bivariate autoregressive estimations and fast Fourier transforms for a year of data close to minimum solar activity (1965) and a year of data close to maximum solar activity (1969). The strong peaks about 6 days and 15 days in the 1965 and 1969 power spectra, respectively, suggest an influence of the interplanetary magnetic sector structure on the electron content at low latitude (21·3°N, geographic). The daily solar flux ( Sa ) at 2800 MHz of 1965 and 1969 are analysed similarly. The decrease in energy content with period range of 3–7 days in the 1969 Sa power spectrum supports the above point of view.
Construct validity of two tests of social cognition in schizophrenia

Abstract The construct validity was examined of two measures of social cognition in schizophrenia: 1.(1) a measure of differential deficit in concrete versus abstract social cue perception and 2.(2) a measure of differential deficit in concrete versus abstract situational feature recognition. A significant relationship between the two difference scores would be expected if both measured differential cognition of abstract and concrete social information. This correlation would be expected to remain significant even after the influence of a generalized deficit in social cognition was partialed out. Twenty-three subjects with DSM-III-R diagnoses of schizophrenia completed a videotaped measure of social cue perception and a pencil-and-paper measure of situational feature recognition. Results showed that standardized residual scores representing the difference in abstract and concrete cue perception and representing the difference in abstract and concrete situational feature recognition were significantly associated. Implications of these strategies for understanding and remediating the social cognitive deficits of schizophrenia are discussed.
‘Do not Lead us into (Fascist) Temptation’: The Catholic Church in Interwar Hungary

The outbreak of the democratic revolution at the end of October 1918, followed by the declaration of independence and the foundation of Hungary's first democratic government, caught the Catholic hi...
Shear observations in the deep thermocline

Photogrammetric evaluation of the rate of distortion of vertical dye streaks within the main oceanic thermocline indicates that spiraling perturbation structures overlay the large-scale vertical shear. The data show pronounced shear structure with vertical scales of a meter or less at depths of hundreds of meters. The shapes as well as strengths of the observed shear structure have a strong dependence on depth. At 400 m the major variations in shear had vertical length scales of about 10 to 20 m; the velocity amplites were of the order of 1 cm s−1, and the predominant spiral pitch was consistent with downward propagation of energy by internal gravity waves. Shallower observations suggest a lateral intrusion as a predominant shear source.
Developing Interdisciplinary Units: A Strategy Based on Problem Solving.

While the benefits of the interdisciplinary unit are well documented, it presents a complex challenge to teachers in the natural and social sciences, mathematics, and humanities. Teachers must become active curriculum designers who shape and edit the curriculum according to students' needs. This paper describes knowledge for teachers as curriculum designers and a framework for interdisciplinary unit development. The framework addresses a metacurricular process (problem solving) that will be the unit centerpiece, the development of this central process related to the learner, and the tasks that teach explicit learning and thinking skills attached to the central process. An example of the framework in action is also described. As the faculty and curriculum coordinators for an innovative summer academy for minority students in northern Arizona have used this framework, they have evolved from a group that created a good idea to interest students with parallel subject development in separate classrooms to humanities/mathematics/science teams united in one team/classroom, in which content is integrated through the actions of the problem solving process.
Engineering for high heat loads on ALS beam lines

Abstract This paper discusses general thermal engineering problems and two specific categories of thermal design issues for high-photon-flux beam lines at the LBL Advanced Light Source: thermal distortion of optical surfaces and elevated temperatures of thermal absorbers receiving synchrotron radiation. A generic design for water-cooled heat absorbers is described for use with ALS photon shutters, beam-defining apertures, and heat-absorbing masks. Also, results of in situ measurements of thermal distortion of a water-cooled mirror in a synchrotron radiation beam line are compared with calculated performance estimates.
Determination of atmospheric optical properties during the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project Field Experiment

Measurements of solar radiation were acquired with a multiwavelength, airborne, tracking sunphotometer during the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project Field Experiment (FIFE). These measurements will permit the atmospheric correction of remotely sensed data acquired over the FIFE study area in eastern Kansas. Atmospheric optical properties derived from the sunphotometer measurements included total optical depth, aerosol optical depth, aerosol size distribution, aerosol phase function, and aerosol single scattering albedo. Data analyzed from two dates, June 6 and October 11, 1987, indicated the presence of aerosols with markedly different optical properties. Aerosol optical depths for the June 6 measurements exhibited a spectral dependence that peaked at the short wavelengths; whereas optical depths on October 11 decreased monotonically with wavelength and closely followed an Angstrom law wavelength dependence. Subsequent inversion of these data yielded a unimodal aerosol size distribution for June 6 and a power law size distribution (consistent with the Angstrom law wavelength dependence) for October 11. These differences are reflected in plots of the aerosol phase function. Variability of the atmospheric optical properties in both time and space illustrates the need to make sunphotometer measurements at the same time that remotely sensed data are acquired.
Protein phosphorylation studies of cerebral spinal fluid for potential biomarker development

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) followed by cerebral vasospasm (CV) leads to severe debilitation or death of an estimated one million people worldwide every year. A biomarker that would predict the onset of CV after a SAH would be useful in informing treatment protocols, but has yet to be found. The focus of this study is to explore differences in protein phosphorylation in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) among healthy patients, SAH patients and SAH-CV patients. A significant difference in phosphorylation among the three sample types could be an important step towards the discovery of a diagnostic marker. The identification and validation of phosphorylated protein differences for study is manifested in the nature of signaling involved in the pathological events seen post SAH. Capillary liquid chromatography (cap-LC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and nano-liquid chromatography-CHIP/ion trap mass spectrometry (nanoLC-CHIP/ITMS) are used to identify and measure protein phosphorylation changes in the CSF of the aforementioned groups. ICPMS represents a suitable method for screening ultra-trace phosphorus levels at the natural isotope, 31P, while nano-LC-CHIP/ITMS is used to identify phosphoproteins by searching appropriate protein databases.
Molecular Engineering of Azobenzene-Functionalized Polyimides to Enhance Both Photomechanical Work and Motion (POSTPRINT)

Photomechanical effects in polymeric materials directly convert input photonic energy into a macroscopic mechanical output. The photoinitiated mechanical output of these materials is typically dominated by classical mechanics, primarily derived from the material stiffness and sample geometry. Accordingly, large magnitude shape change (e.g., motion) is typically traded for large magnitude force generation. Here, we report on the systematic preparation and comparison of photomechanical effects in a set of isomerically varied linear and cross-linked azobenzene-functionalized materials that demonstrate the critical role of segmental mobility (evident in the magnitude of the β-transition) to assimilate the typically exclusive properties of large force generation and large shape change in a single material.
Differences in botulinum toxin dosing between patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia and essential voice tremor.

Summary Objectives To explore possible dose differences in average botulinum toxin (BTX) given to patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) compared with patients with essential voice tremor (EVT). Methods A retrospective study compared the average BTX dose injected in equal doses to the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles of 51 patients with ADSD with 52 patients with EVT. Results Those with ADSD received significantly higher total doses (6.80 ± 2.79 units) compared with those with EVT (5.02 ± 1.65 units). Dose at time of first injection, age at time of first injection, gender, year of first injection, and average time between injections were included in multivariate analysis but did not interact with total average dose findings. Conclusions Patients with ADSD may need relatively higher doses of BTX injections to bilateral TA muscles compared with patients with EVT.
What Are They Thinking? Findings for Educators and Practitioners on Youths' Experience and Knowledge of the HPV Vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccination for boys and girls starting at age 11, yet adoption rates are low. We use eight focus groups to explore the decision making process, experiences, and social influences, including media and sex education classes, shaping attitudes of male and female college students. We find many students who have misinformation or no knowledge of the vaccination yet are eager to learn more. Due to youths’ range of knowledge about the vaccination and varied preparedness for making their own medical decisions, practitioners are in a challenging position to inform and encourage responsible decision making without appearing coercive.
Caregiver Activity on Respite and Nonrespite Days: A Comparison of Two Service Approaches.

Use of time was examined among female caregivers of dementia patients who used home care (n = 20) and day care (n = 20) respite services. Assessment of caregiver activity during respite and nonrespite days revealed significant program differences in the amount of caregiving time and overall differences in the amount of noncaregiving time. Use of respite time was also examined. Significant predictors of willingness to continue care were identified. Ratings of program satisfaction were very high.
Examining the effects of stereotype threat on test-taking behaviors

This study examines the relationship between stereotype threat and individual test-taking behaviors. Previous research has examined the impact of stereotype threat on test scores, but little research has examined the impact of stereotype threat on the test-taking behaviors impacting those scores. Using a pre-post experimental design, stereotype threat was manipulated and test-taking behaviors (e.g., time spent per item, response changes) were measured while completing verbal ability items before and after the manipulation. The results indicated that stereotype threat minimally impacted time-related test-taking behaviors, but did impact behaviors related to response changes. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Measuring the quality of surgical decisions for Latina breast cancer patients.

Background A high-quality decision for breast cancer surgery requires that patients are well informed, meaningfully involved in decision making, and receive treatments that match their goals. There is little in the existing literature that examines a comprehensive measure of decision quality for Latina breast cancer patients. Objective To examine the quality of surgical decisions among Latina breast cancer survivors and explore factors associated with decision quality and decision regret. Design Cross-sectional mailed survey. Main outcome measures English and certified Spanish translations of Breast Cancer Surgery Decision Quality Instrument (BCS-DQI), Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) and decision regret. Participants and setting Ninety-seven breast cancer survivors of Hispanic or Spanish descent identified through the cancer registry from Orange or San Diego Counties in California. Results The 97 respondents were on average 55.7 years old, 39.1% had high school diploma or more education, and 62.9% had low acculturation (SASH scores < 2.99). The average knowledge score was 48.2%, the average decision process score was 67.5%, and many (77.3%) received treatments that matched their goals. In multivariable models, there were no significant associations with education, age, acculturation and any aspect of decision quality or decision regret in this sample. Respondents who had higher decision process scores, indicating more involvement in decision making, had significantly lower decision regret. Conclusions The BCS-DQI may require some adaptation for Latina populations to improve acceptability. The different aspects of decision quality, including knowledge, decision process and concordance, did not vary by level of acculturation.