cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple genes on chromosome 7 regulate dopaminergic amacrine cell number in the mouse retina.

PURPOSE. The size of neuronal populations is modulated by gene variants that influence cell production and survival, in turn influencing neuronal connectivity, function, and disease risk. The size of the dopaminergic amacrine (DA) cell population is a highly heritable trait exhibiting sixfold variation among inbred strains of mice and is used here to identify genes that modulate the number of DA cells. METHODS. The entire population was counted in retinal wholemounts from 37 genetically defined lines of mice, including six standard inbred strains, 25 recombinant inbred strains (AXB/ BXA), reciprocal F1 hybrids, a chromosome (Chr) 7 consomic line, and three additional genetically modified lines. RESULTS. Much of this variation was mapped to a broad locus on Chr 7 (Dopaminergic amacrine cell number control, Chr 7 [Dacnc7]). The Dacnc7 locus is flanked by two candidate genes known to modulate the number of other types of retinal neuron-the proapoptotic gene, Bax, and tyrosinase. The Tyr mutation was shown to modulate DA cell number modestly, though in the direction opposite that predicted. In contrast, Bax deficiency increased the population fourfold. Box expression was significantly greater in the A/J than in the C57BL/6J strain, an effect that may be attributed to an SNP in a p53 consensus binding site known to modulate transcription. Finally, we note a strong candidate situated at the peak of the Dacnc7 locus, Lrrk1, a Parkinson's disease gene exhibiting missense mutations segregating within the AXB/BXA cross. CONCLUSIONS. Multiple polymorphic genes on Chr 7 modulate the size of the population of DA cells.
Cognition through a Social Network: The Propagation of Induced Forgetting and Practice Effects.

Although a burgeoning literature has shown that practice effects and socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting can reshape the memories of speakers and listeners involved in a conversation, it has generally failed to examine whether such effects can propagate through a sequence of conversational interactions. This lacuna is unfortunate, since sequences of social interactions are more common than single, isolated ones. The present research explores how people exposed to attitudinally biased selective practice propagate the practice and forgetting effects into subsequent conversations with attitudinally similar and dissimilar others and, through these conversations, affect subsequent acts of remembering. The research establishes that the propagation of retrieval-induced forgetting and practice effects is transitive. It also determines when attitude influences propagation. These findings are discussed in the context of the formation of collective memories.
The effect of scale manipulations on validity: targetting frequency rating scales for anticipated performance levels.

Abstract A common problem with standard five-point frequency rating scales is their inability to differentiate between objects within a relatively narrow band of the rating dimension. Two alternatives for increasing a scale's ability to reflect existing differences are: increasing the number of positions on the rating scale, or packing the rating scale with quantifiers from a particular portion of the frequency dimension. In this study, three types of rating scale — a standard five-point balanced scale, a longer nine-point balanced scale, and a five-point packed scale — were used to rate two videotaped samples of behaviour, one displaying performance levels from 10% to 100% and the other from 70% to 90%. Each subject's ratings were correlated with true performance levels in each sample of behaviour as a measure of validity. Results showed that for ratings of the wide range of behaviour all three types of scales provided average correlations between the ratings and actual frequencies of the event which exceeded 0·90, with the longer nine-point scale yielding a significantly higher mean correlation than the other two scales. For ratings of the narrow performance range, the nine-point scale provided the highest correlation with the actual frequencies, followed by the packed scale and the standard five-point balanced scale. All differences were significant. Findings suggest that increasing the number of scale positions can significantly increase the validity of ratings obtained. Also, though to a lesser degree, validity of ratings may be enhanced in a shorter scale by using quantifiers from the portion of the frequency continuum where performance are anticipated to lie.
Pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family in skeletal muscle: a distinct role for Bcl-2 in later stages of myogenesis.

Apoptotic myonuclei appear during myogenesis and in diseased muscles. To investigate cell death regulation in skeletal muscle, we examined how members of the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis regulators are expressed and function in the C2C12 muscle cell line and in primary muscle cells at different stages of development. Both anti-apoptotic (Bcl-W, Bcl-X(L)) and pro-apoptotic (Bad, Bak, Bax) members of the Bcl-2 family were expressed in developing skeletal muscle in vivo. Each was also expressed in embryonic (E11-12), fetal (E15-16), and neonatal muscle stem cells, myoblasts, and myotubes in vitro. In contrast, Bcl-2 expression was limited to a small group of mononucleate, desmin-positive, myogenin-negative muscle cells that were seen in fetal and neonatal, but not embryonic, muscle cell cultures. The cell surface protein Sca-1, which is associated with muscle and blood stem cells, was found on approximately 1/2 of these Bcl-2-positive cells. Loss of Bcl-2 did not affect expression of other family members, because neonatal muscles of wild-type and Bcl-2-null mice had similar amounts of Bcl-X(L), Bcl-W, Bad, Bak, and Bax mRNAs. Loss of Bcl-2 did have functional consequences; however, because neonatal muscles of Bcl-2-null mice had only approximately 2/3 as many fast muscle fibers as muscles in wild-type mice. Thus, Bcl-2 function is required for particular stages of fetal and postnatal myogenesis.
MATING FREQUENCY IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA (HENTZ) WOLF SPIDERS: EVIDENCE FOR A MATING SYSTEM WITH FEMALE MONANDRY AND MALE POLYGYNY

Courtship behavior has been studied extensively in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz) (Araneae, Lycosidae). While much research has tested predictions of sexual selection theory regarding male traits and female mate choice, some critical assumptions about female behavior remain untested. To determine if females mate more than once, and to what degree copulation influences subse- quent female mating, a multiple mating experiment was conducted. Virgin females were paired randomly with males in laboratory containers. If mating occurred, females were paired with a second male within 24 hr, after 3 days, or after 30 days (enough time for an egg sac to be produced). Of the 101 females tested, 83 (82%) mated with the first male they encountered. The probability of a female mating the first time was not influenced by female size, male size, or male age, but varied significantly with female age post-maturity. Of the 18 males that failed to mate, 3 were cannibalized. Of the 83 males that did mate, 12 were cannibalized after mating. There was no difference between re-mating treatments (1 d, 3 d and 30 d), and analysis of pooled data showed a highly significant difference in the proportion of virgin and mated females accepting males; most females mated only once (93%). In contrast, males appeared to court and attempt mating with every female encountered (virgin and mated), and a majority of males paired with more than one virgin female mated more than once (64.5%). Results suggest that female S. ocreata are essentially monandrous, while males are polygynous, and are discussed in the context of potential conflicts-of-interest between the sexes.
The gap between law and ethics in human embryonic stem cell research: Overcoming the effect of U.S. Federal policy on research advances and public benefit

Key ethical issues arise in association with the conduct of stem cell research by research institutions in the United States. These ethical issues, summarized in detail, receive no adequate translation into federal laws or regulations, also described in this article. U.S. Federal policy takes a passive approach to these ethical issues, translating them simply into limitations on taxpayer funding, and foregoes scientific and ethical leadership while protecting intellectual property interests through a laissez faire approach to stem cell patents and licenses. Those patents and licenses, far from being scientifically and ethically neutral in effect, virtually prohibit commercially sponsored research that could otherwise be a realistic alternative to the federal funding gap. The lack of federal funding and related data-sharing principles, combined with the effect of U.S. patent policy, the lack of key agency guidance, and the proliferation of divergent state laws arising from the lack of Federal leadership, significantly impede ethical stem cell research in the United States, without coherently supporting any consensus ethical vision. Research institutions must themselves implement steps, described in the article, to integrate addressing ethical review with the many legal compliance issues U.S. federal and state laws create.
Effects of estradiol-17beta on LH-RH/FSH-RH-induced, and spontaneous, LH release in prepubertal female pigs.

The effect of estrogen (E2) on pituitary response to LH-RH/FSH-RH (LH-RH) was examined in immature female pigs (gilts). Eight gilts (9–10weeks old) received iv injections of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, and 40.0 µg LH-RH, beginning 4 days after placement of indwelling jugular cannulae. Blood samples were drawn at 5-min intervals following LH-RH injection and plasma LH was determined by RIA and expressed as ng R786-3/ml. Pituitary responses were expressed as the increment in LH levels above baseline (ΔLH). Pretreatment LH levels were 0.45–1.25 ng/ml. Responses to LH-RH (ALH ± SE) ranged from 3.7 ± 0.6 (at 5 min) to 8.4 ± 1.4 ng/ml (at 20 min) for 2.5 and 40 µ;g doses, respectively. Three additional prepubertal gilts were cannulated and implanted with E2. After 3 days plasma estrogens rose from approximately 30 pg/ml to 289 ± 34 pg/ml and the dose-response studies were repeated. Prestimulation LH concentration was consistently below 0.4 ng/ml and ΔLH levels ranged from 1.4 ± 0.5 (at 10 min) to 5.7 ± 1.3 ng/ml (at ...
Security Maintenance Mediation: a technology for preventing unintended security breaches

Web-resident information is becoming ‘smarter’, in the sense that emerging technology will support the annotation of it with ontological terms, which will be used to locate and reuse information. This will pose a great security risk in the form of unintended breaches (as distinct from deliberate invasions). Web-resident information will be far more readily available and relevant, thus causing inadvertent releases of secure information to potentially cause it to be diffusely spread across the Internet. Then as this information is iteratively transformed and integrated with other information, it will become irretrievable and potentially used in a myriad of unpredictable ways. The problem is that ontological annotations, while making information more understandable in its original form, do not provide a means for easily capturing the complex semantics of information that has been transformed via abstraction, aggregation, and integration. This demands the development of a semantically rich way of specifying ‘views’ of Web information, to which security controls can be attached. Also needed is a way for users of secure information to easily and voluntarily blend—and thereby propagate—security controls as information is transformed. Information mediators designed by collaborative teams of experts are proposed as the vehicle for wrapping information, so that at each step of reuse, high-level views and their corresponding integrity controls can be made easily accessible to trusted users who will then be able to ensure their proper maintenance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes of complex gunshot wounds to the hand and wrist: a 10-year level I urban trauma center experience.

PURPOSE: : To assess the consequences of gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the hand, we reviewed our 10-year experience at an urban level I trauma center. METHOD: : A retrospective review was performed on patients admitted with GSWs to the extremities between January 1, 1997 and January 1, 2007. Those with GSWs to the hand and wrist needing surgery were studied. A telephone survey supplemented the data. RESULTS: : Of 1358 patients admitted with GSWs involving the upper extremities, 62 patients with complex hand and wrist injuries requiring operative intervention were identified. Most patients sustained low-velocity handgun injuries and presented within 12 hours of injury. In many individuals (97%), the gunshot injury to the hand or wrist was only part of a multiple gunshot assault. All patients underwent surgical debridement and repair followed by an early aggressive rehabilitation program. Mean length of hospital stay was 5.0 (±5.1) days, with 9.7% of patients requiring ICU care for 3.3 (±1.4) days, with an average cost of $47,819 (±$53,548) per patient. Although 65% of the individuals subsequently reported being "disabled from work" due to pain, the quality of life, and ultimate function was good in 61%, fair in 26.1%, and bad in 13%. CONCLUSION: : GSWs to the hand and wrist are often part of multiple handgun wounds in one individual. Most produce comminuted fractures, seldom requiring bone grafts, fusion, or amputation. Vascular injuries, though rare, necessitate vein grafts due to loss of length. Few patients require free flaps, and few sustain nerve or tendon injuries. Most complain of pain or numbness. However, a good quality of life and a return to the activities of daily living occurred in two-third individuals. Language: en
Issues in cognitive and social ergonomics: from our house to bauhaus

Intelligibility is one of the key factors affecting the acceptance and effective use of information systems. In this article, we discuss the ways in which recognition of this factor challenges current system design strategies, as well as current theoretical perspectives and research methodologies. In particular, we claim that in order to understand the problem of system intelligibility, we must focus not only on the cognitive, but also on the social aspects of system use. After considering some of the sources of users' difficulty in understanding information systems, we propose a new global philosophy for interface design: design for the management of trouble. We discuss the design implications of four mechanisms for improving system intelligibility: (1) useful mental models of the system and its associated subsystems, (2) communicative repair in user-system interaction, (3) new training strategies, and (4) use of the larger social environment as an aid to understanding information systems. We then discuss the possibility of developing intelligent systems capable of providing assistance and feedback related specifically to users' actions. We claim that development of such systems requires understanding the mechanisms for achieving mutual intelligibility in interaction and propose new research approaches for investigating these mechanisms. In the final section, we elaborate on the relationship between information systems and the larger social environment, suggesting that the functionality and design of information systems can deeply influence the surrounding culture. We propose adopting a goal of socially proactive design and discuss the possibilities for embedding new paradigms for communication and problem solving in specialized information systems.
Gradual and Self-Sustaining Processes in the Sn-Zn-Se System

Ball milling induces self-sustaining reaction in binary Sn Se and Zn Se powder mixtures. But if such mixtures are blended, the ignition time increases at either end of the concentration scale and the suppression of ignition can take place in an intermediate concentration interval. This phenomenon was investigated in (1 − x)(Sn+Se)+x(Zn+Se) and (1 − x)(Sn+2Se)+x(Zn+Se) mixtures, by measuring the ignition time as a function of both composition and milling conditions and investigating activated and reacted mixtures using X-ray di raction and scanning electron microscopy. At the Sn-rich compositions of the rst system, ignition happened as soon as the mill was started, in spite of the rather low adiabatic temperature of the reaction. Simultaneous local melting of Sn and Se is suggested as a possible explanation for immediate ignition. It can also explain the asymmetry of the properties of the binary reactions, namely that Sn+Se is less exothermic but easy to ignite, while Zn Se is more exothermic but di cult to ignite. Similar asymmetry is considered as the reason for the increase of the ignition time and the loss of ignition in other mixed metal chalcogen systems.
A Note on the Jadad Score as an Efficient Tool for Measuring Trial Quality

Editor: The authors are correct that the Jadad score, whether with 13, 11, or 5 points (as is most common), is efficient. That is to say that a score for trial quality can be whipped up with little effort. However, would it not be even more efficient to simply toss a coin and award full marks if that coin lands face up? After all, then one would not need to read the article at all. And to save having to reach for a coin, maybe we should take it one step further and simply declare all trials to be of maximal quality. This, it seems, would be maximally efficient. However, we are concerned that this push towards efficiency leaves something to be desired, and the problem starts not with our frivolous extensions of the Jadad score, but rather with the Jadad score itself. The authors seem to treat trial quality and ethics as two separate dimensions, but we feel that the two are highly related, since a flawed trial justifies neither the allocation of scarce resources nor the exposure of patients to potentially harmful treatments, so flawed trials are inherently unethical. This view point illustrates that trial quality must be woven into the fabric of ethics. So now we can ask how ethical it is to use the Jadad score to evaluate trial quality. We can answer this question with citations to articles that have discredited the Jadad score, but an analogy might be more apt, so imagine a Jadad score for journal editors. Clearly a journal editor must make sure that articles use proper grammar and spelling, and that each reference is cited in the article, and that each citation similarly appears in the references. Beyond that, and depending on the reference format, the editor must also make sure that the references are numbered sequentially. Hence, we can evaluate the performance of an editor on any given article he or she publishes by awarding one point for each of these tasks that is handled correctly, without error. This efficient rating system is insulting to journal editors who work hard at their job because it intentionally confuses necessity with sufficiency and suggests that their efforts can be replaced with so limited a check list. It is no less insulting when the work of trial methodologists is similarly dismissed as having so few dimensions. But bruised egos are not the primary problem with the Jadad score. With the Jadad score, we are essentially saying that any trial whose authors know how to tie their shoe laces and spell their own names correctly must be rigorous and, therefore, suitable to inform future medical decisions. Medical decisions are not like abstract art, in which I can use blue and you can use red, and it's all good. Here it is most certainly not all good. Flawed studies invite biases that distort findings, generally towards more favorable ones that suit the preferences of the experimenters and all of their conflicts of interest. When these studies go on to inform medical decisions, patients are denied the basic right of informed decision K. E. Palys (*) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA e-mail: palysk@vt.edu
Aggregation-triggering segments of SOD1 fibril formation support a common pathway for familial and sporadic ALS

ALS is a terminal disease of motor neurons that is characterized by accumulation of proteinaceous deposits in affected cells. Pathological deposition of mutated Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) accounts for ∼20% of the familial ALS (fALS) cases. However, understanding the molecular link between mutation and disease has been difficult, given that more than 140 different SOD1 mutants have been observed in fALS patients. In addition, the molecular origin of sporadic ALS (sALS) is unclear. By dissecting the amino acid sequence of SOD1, we identified four short segments with a high propensity for amyloid fibril formation. We find that fALS mutations in these segments do not reduce their propensity to form fibrils. The atomic structures of two fibril-forming segments from the C terminus, 101DSVISLS107 and 147GVIGIAQ153, reveal tightly packed β-sheets with steric zipper interfaces characteristic of the amyloid state. Based on these structures, we conclude that both C-terminal segments are likely to form aggregates if available for interaction. Proline substitutions in 101DSVISLS107 and 147GVIGIAQ153 impaired nucleation and fibril growth of full-length protein, confirming that these segments participate in aggregate formation. Our hypothesis is that improper protein maturation and incompletely folded states that render these aggregation-prone segments available for interaction offer a common molecular pathway for sALS and fALS.
Virus particles as active nanomaterials that can rapidly change their viscoelastic properties in response to dilute solutions

Swelling of the plant virus CCMV has been monitored in real time, revealing that the transition occurs rapidly, is readily reversible, and is accompanied by a change in particle rigidity.
Ovarian reserve in women who remain premenopausal after chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer

Objective To compare markers of ovarian reserve between women exposed to cytotoxic chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer and matched controls. Design Cross-sectional evaluation of markers of ovarian reserve. Setting Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Faulkner Hospital in Boston, MA. Patient(s) Breast cancer survivors with continued menses after chemotherapy were compared with age-matched, gravidity-matched controls. Main Outcome Measure(s) Antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), FSH, inhibin B (InB), and E 2 on day 2, 3, or 4 of the menstrual cycle. A Bonferroni correction was performed to correct for multiple comparisons. Result(s) Twenty survivors and 20 controls were evaluated; 50% of survivors were currently on tamoxifen. Median AFC was 6 for survivors and 9.5 for controls. There were significant differences between the two groups in AFC, AMH, and nonsignificant differences in FSH and InB, all indicating better ovarian reserve in controls. The AFC and AMH levels were highly correlated ( r = 0.72). Survivors on tamoxifen had lower AFC, AMH, InB, and higher E 2 than nontamoxifen–treated survivors. Conclusion(s) Premenopausal breast cancer survivors have diminished ovarian reserve compared with controls.
Associated injuries complicating radial head fractures: a demographic study.

Treatment of radial head fractures may be complicated because of the presence of associated lesions. However, little is known about the frequency or relevance of associated lesions in different types of radial head fractures. We studied the demographics of radial head fractures focusing on associate
Effect of concurrent high hydrostatic pressure, acidity and heat on the injury and destruction of Listeria monocytogenes

The effect of concurrent use of high hydrostatic pressure, heat and acidity on Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and CA was investigated. In general, lethality was enhanced when cells were pressurized at higher temperatures or lower pH. Strain CA demonstrated an additional 3-log 10 reduction when pressurized at pH 4.0 as compared with pH 6.0 at 353 MPa, 45C for 10 min. Scott A was reduced an additional 1 log 10 by increasing the temperature from 25C to 45C with pressurization at 252 MPa, pH 6.0 for 30 min. Exposure to 404 MPa at 45C for 30 min demonstrated complete injury or death of CA cells with an initial concentration of >10 8 CFU/mL. At least an 8-log 10 reduction was observed for both L. monocytogenes strains Scott A and CA when exposed to the combined treatments of 252 MPa, 45C, pH 4.0 for 30 min.
Continuous focusing of moving objects using DFD1F

A method is presented for continuous focusing of moving objects. It is based on DFD1F which is a method for determining distance of stationary objects using image defocus information. The proposed method requires recording of two images of a moving object with different degrees of blur. The change in blur is caused by varying camera parameters such as lens position, focal length, and aperture diameter of the recording camera. The two images must be recorded simultaneously in a short time period. A new camera structure is proposed for such recording of the images. In the proposed method, the requirement of a large memory space has been avoided for storing the MTF data of the camera's optical system. This is achieved by using a parameterization scheme for the MTF data. The method has been implemented on an actual camera system. Experimental results on this system indicate that the method yields an RMS error in focusing of about 4.3 percent in lens position. The image blur caused by a focusing error of this magnitude is barely noticeable by humans. Therefore, in addition to machine vision, the method has practical applications in video cameras such as camcorders.
Infant non-distress vocalization during mother-infant face-to-face interaction: Factors associated with quantitative and qualitative differences

Abstract This study investigated the associations of the quantity and quality of infant nondistress vocalization with maternal and infant social actions (smiling and gazing) during dyadic interaction. Thirteen infants and their mothers were observed weekly in a face-to-face interaction situation from 4 to 24 weeks. Results showed that the quantity (rate per minute) and quality (speech-likeness) of infant nondistress vocalization changed systematically with maternal smiling and gazing as well as with the infants’ own smiling and gazing. Infants produced more speech-like syllabic sounds when their mothers were smiling, when they were looking at their mothers’ faces, and when the infants themselves were smiling. Follow-up analysis revealed that the amount of infant speech-like syllabic sound was highest during Duchenne smiling (cheek-raise smiling), which is thought to be more emotionally positive than non-Duchenne smiling (smiling without cheek-raise). Sequential analysis further indicated that infants were more likely to produce speech-like syllabic sounds, following the onset of their smiling and gazing at mother and their mothers’ smiling as compared to nonspeech-like vocalic sounds. These coordinative associations found within the child and between the dyad suggest that the speech quality of nondistress vocalization may be an index of positivity in dyadic face-to-face interactions during early infancy.
Reconstructive recall of linguistic style

The present experiment investigated reconstructive recall for linguistic style. It was hypothesized that (a) features of linguistic style would be difficult to recall compared to underlying content; (b) reconstructive errors would include stylistic forms recalled as standard forms when subjects lacked productive control of a particular feature of a style; (c) reconstructive errors would include standard forms recalled as stylistic forms when subjects with productive control of a style attempted to style match. Subjects carried out recall tasks with texts of five different styles (business, biblical, academic, legal, primer). Objective procedures were developed to classify the style of the reconstructed responses and the results showed that a large proportion of the total responses consisted of the predicted types of reconstructive errors. The reconstructive-style hypothesis was used to integrate a range of experimental findings from studies of memory for text.
Structural analysis of the cancer-specific promoter in mesothelin and in other genes overexpressed in cancers

Mesothelin (MSLN) may be the most "dramatic" of the tumor markers, being strongly overexpressed in nearly one-third of human malignancies. The biochemical cause is unclear. We previously ascribed this cancer-specific overexpression to an element, Canscript, residing around 50 bp 5' of the transcription start site in cancer (Hucl, T., Brody, J. R., Gallmeier, E., Iacobuzio-Donahue, C. A., Farrance, I. K., and Kern, S. E. (2007) Cancer Res. 67, 9055-9065). Herein, we found a Canscript promoter activity elevated over 100-fold in cancer cells. In addition to a highly conserved TEAD1 (TEA domain family member 1)-binding MCAT motif, nucleotide substitution revealed the consensus core sequence (WCYCCACCC) of an SP1-like motif in Canscript. The unknown transcription factor binding to the SP1-like motif may hold the key for the cancer specificity of Canscript. SP1, GLI1, and RUNX1, -2, and -3 appeared unlikely to be the direct transcription factors acting at the SP1-like motif, but KLF6 had some features of such a candidate. YAP1, a TEAD1-binding protein, appeared necessary, but not sufficient, for Canscript activity; knockdown of YAP1 by small interfering RNAs greatly reduced MSLN levels in MSLN-overexpressing cells, but overexpressing YAP1 in MSLN-negative cells did not induce MSLN expression. Cansript-like sequences were found in other genes up-regulated in pancreatic cancer; reporters driven by the sequences from FXYD3, MUC1, and TIMP1 had activities more than 2 times that of the control. This suggested that the cause of MSLN overexpression might also contribute mechanistically to the overexpression of other tumor markers.
Modeling Foam Damping Materials in Automotive Structures

Foam damping materials judiciously placed in automotive structures efficiently reduce the vibration amplitudes of large, relatively flat exterior body panels such as the hood, roof, deck lid (trunk) and door skin. These polymer foams (typically epoxy or vinyl) have mechanical properties that depend on the foam homogeneity, degree of expansion, temperature and frequency of excitation. Standard methods for determining true bulk mechanical properties, such as Young's modulus, shear modulus and damping terms, are discussed along with methods for determining engineering estimates of the properties as used in automotive applications. Characterizing these foam damping materials in a component or full body finite element structural model as discrete springs and dashpots provides an accurate and economical means to include these features. Example analyses of the free vibrations and forced response of a hood are presented accompanied by test data that demonstrate the accuracy of the structural model. A parametric study investigates the effect of foam material stiffness and damping properties on hood vibration amplitudes under dynamic air loading. A methodology is discussed to reduce the hood vibration level under cross-wind conditions to an acceptable level with the use of foam materials.
Protein kinase A regulates RNA polymerase III transcription through the nuclear localization of Maf1

Maf1 is an essential and specific mediator of transcriptional repression in the RNA polymerase (pol) III system. Maf1-dependent repression occurs in response to a wide range of conditions, suggesting that the protein itself is targeted by the major nutritional and stress-signaling pathways. We show that Maf1 is a substrate for cAMP-dependent PKA in vitro and is differentially phosphorylated on PKA sites in vivo under normal versus repressing conditions. PKA activity negatively regulates Maf1 function because strains with unregulated high PKA activity block repression of pol III transcription in vivo, and strains lacking all PKA activity are hyperrepressible. Nuclear accumulation of Maf1 is required for transcriptional repression and is regulated by two nuclear localization sequences in the protein. An analysis of PKA phosphosite mutants shows that the localization of Maf1 is affected via the N-terminal nuclear localization sequence. In particular, mutations that prevent phosphorylation at PKA consensus sites promote nuclear accumulation of Maf1 without inducing repression. These results indicate that negative regulation of Maf1 by PKA is achieved by inhibiting its nuclear import and suggest that a PKA-independent activation step is required for nuclear Maf1 to function in the repression of pol III transcription. Finally, we report a previously undescribed phenotype for Maf1 in tRNA gene-mediated silencing of nearby RNA pol II transcription.
Measurements of 27 elements in garden and lawn fertilizers using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Five locally available garden and lawn fertilizers were analyzed for elemental content using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The fertilizers were labeled as High Yield; Slow Release, 13-13-13; 16-8-4 and 28-4-4. The concentration ranges of the elements measured, in μg/g, were: Ba<10-105; Br 0.55-272; Co 0.33-3.74; Cr 10.0-42.5; Cs0.09-1.02; Eu 0.05-0.42; Fe 1840-9830; Ga<1-4.6; Ge<0.1-1.23; Hf0.07-2.32; La 1.66-10.4; Na 57.6-3990; Nd<9; Ni<3-12.3; Rb 2.42-48.5; Sb 0.03-0.24; Sc 0.3-3.11; Se 2.68-10.2; Sm<0.4-2.13; Sr 21.7-214; Ta<0.01-0.052; Tb 0.05-0.28; Th 0.52-2.16; U 0.18-0.38; Zn 10.8-233 and Zr<1-8.95. Some of these elements are recognized as micronutritiens (e.g., Fe & Zn), and are necessary for plant growth. However, other elements may lead to undesirable environmental effects. The undiscriminating use of fertilizers, especially in home gardening, may result in the increase of toxic elements (Co, Cr, Se, Sb, Th, U etc.) in the underground water supply.
ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Knockout Induces Cardiac Proteome Remodeling Predictive of Heart Disease Susceptibility

Forecasting disease susceptibility requires detection of maladaptive signatures prior to onset of overt symptoms. A case-in-point are cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channelopathies, for which the substrate underlying disease vulnerability remains to be identified. Resolving molecular pathobiology, even for single genetic defects, mandates a systems platform to reliably diagnose disease predisposition. High-throughput proteomic analysis was here integrated with network biology to decode consequences of Kir6.2 KATP channel pore deletion. Differential two-dimensional gel electrophoresis reproducibly resolved >800 protein species from hearts of asymptomatic wild-type and Kir6.2-knockout counterparts. KATP channel ablation remodeled the cardiac proteome, significantly altering 71 protein spots, from which 102 unique identities were assigned following hybrid linear ion trap quadrupole-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. Ontological annotation stratified the KATP channel-dependent protein cohort into a predomina...
Peromyscus as a Mammalian Epigenetic Model

Deer mice (Peromyscus) offer an opportunity for studying the effects of natural genetic/epigenetic variation with several advantages over other mammalian models. These advantages include the ability to study natural genetic variation and behaviors not present in other models. Moreover, their life histories in diverse habitats are well studied. Peromyscus resources include genome sequencing in progress, a nascent genetic map, and >90,000 ESTs. Here we review epigenetic studies and relevant areas of research involving Peromyscus models. These include differences in epigenetic control between species and substance effects on behavior. We also present new data on the epigenetic effects of diet on coat-color using a Peromyscus model of agouti overexpression. We suggest that in terms of tying natural genetic variants with environmental effects in producing specific epigenetic effects, Peromyscus models have a great potential.
Gender and wealth disparities in schooling: Evidence from 44 countries

This paper uses internationally comparable household data sets (Demographic and Health Surveys) to investigate how gender and wealth interact to generate within-country inequalities in educational enrollment and attainment. The paper highlights that girls are at a great educational disadvantage in particular regions: South Asia and North, Western, and Central Africa. There are two main new findings. First, while gender gaps are large in a subset of countries, wealth gaps are large in almost all of the countries studied—and typically larger than corresponding gender gaps. Second, and of special concern, is the finding that in particular countries where there is a large female disadvantage in enrollment, wealth interacts with gender to exacerbate the gap in educational outcomes.
The effect of bulk composition on the speciation of water in submarine volcanic glasses

Submarine volcanic glasses ranging in composition from basalts to dacites from a variety of tectonic settings have been studied for their total (H2O + OH−) and molecular water contents using combined high-temperature mass spectrometric and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. A molar absorptivity of 61 ± 11/mol-cm was determined for the fundamental OH-stretch at 3550 cm−1 for these glasses. It is found that the relative abundances of molecular water and hydroxyl groups depend not only upon total dissolved water but also bulk silicate chemistry as well. For glasses with total H2O contents between 0.5 and 1.0 wt% the ratio of molecular to total water varies approximately tenfold from 0.03 to 0.30. Increasing silica content and/or decreasing the concentration of non-tetrahedral cations enhances the relative abundance of molecular water.
Soil-plant interactions in agroforestry systems

Abstract Too often soils and their constraints are ignored when designing or evaluating agroforestry systems. This paper reviews the nature of soil constraints in the humid and semi-arid tropics and how these limitations affect plant/soil interactions related to nutrient additions, losses, and cycling via littersoil organic matter (SOM) pathways in agroforestry systems. The ability of agroforestry systems to enhance nutrient availability on infertile soils is very limited compared to systems on fertile soils. On both, however, agroforestry systems can play an important role in reducing nutrient losses. Litter production and quantities of nutrients recycled in litter are greater on fertile than on infertile soils, however, management techniques for accelerating nutrient fluxes through pruning appear to hold promise for increasing plant productivity on the latter soils. Much more information is needed on the magnitude of an controls on below-ground litter production and how it can be managed. Litter decomposition and SOM dynamics in agroforestry systems might most easily be manipulated by managing woody vegetation to produce organic residues of a certain quality and to regulate soil temperature and moisture. More attention needs to be paid to specific SOM pools, their importance in nutrient supply and soil structure, how they are affected by soil properties, and how they can be managed.
Handling the Discontinuous Aspects of Continuous Social Relationships: Toward Research on the Persistence of Social Forms

This essay describes selected features of the behavioral construction of long-term relationships. A distinction is advanced between the life history oi a social relationship and the interactional co-presence of the relationship partners. The logics of relationship-based behavior and interaction-based behavior are thus contrasted. Some social relationships are defined by their communities as continuous, that is, as extending beyond the moments when the partners are in face-to-face interaction with each other. Three spatiotemporal frameworks, in which devices for constructing the continuity of social relationships in anticipation of, during, or subsequent to periods of physical and interactional non-co-presence, are discussed. The implications of this perspective for the study of strategic communication and of the continuity of other social forms are noted.
BOUNDARY-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF 3-D DIFFUSION PROBLEMS USING A PARALLEL DOMAIN DECOMPOSITION METHOD

A parallel domain decomposition method is developed for the solution of three-dimensional diffusion problems. Within each subdomain, time is discretized using the generalized trapezoidal rule. The resulting modified Helmholtz equation is solved using the particular-solution boundary-element method. Interfacial conditions between subdomains are satisfied using a Schwarz Neumann-Neumann iteration scheme. Except for the first time step, when zero initial flux is assumed on all interfacial boundaries, the initial estimates for the interfacial flux are given from the converged solutions from the previous time step. This significantly reduces the number of iterations required to meet the convergence criterion.
The Nature of Student Thinking in Life Science Laboratories

The nature of student thinking in confirmation and open-inquiry laboratory activities was compared. Student thinking in laboratory activities was contextualized by the laboratory activity structure and teacher and student interactions. Students in each laboratory treatment were observed throughout five life science laboratories, with the life science topic consistent across treatments. From a frequency perspective there appeared to be no difference in the student thinking processes exhibited across life science content. Based on the multiple regression analysis, however, the nature of student thinking differed across laboratory treatments. Student thinking processes exhibited in confirmation laboratories emphasized procedures and techniques, making sense of and doing the laboratory, whereas student thinking in open-inquiry laboratories emphasized data analysis, making sense of the results. Student-student interactions contributed more to student thinking in open-inquiry laboratories, whereas teacher-student interactions promoted student thinking in confirmation laboratories.
Spatiotemporal algorithm for joint video segmentation and foreground detection

We present a novel algorithm for segmenting video sequences into objects with smooth surfaces. The segmentation of image planes in the video is modeled as a spatial Gibbs-Markov random field, and the probability density distributions of temporal changes are modeled by a Mixture of Gaussians approach. The intensity of each spatiotemporal volume is modeled as a slowly varying function distorted by white Gaussian noise. Starting from an initial spatial segmentation, the pixels are classified using the temporal probabilistic model and moving objects in the video are detected. This classification is updated by Markov random field constraints to achieve smoothness and spatial continuity. The temporal model is updated using the segmentation information and local statistics of the image frame. Experimental results show the performance of our algorithm.
The Rebirth of Progesterone in the Prevention of Preterm Labor

OBJECTIVETo evaluate data since 2003 on the efficacy and safety of progesterone supplementation in the prevention of preterm labor.DATA SOURCESA MEDLINE and Ovid database search (January 2003–September 2012) was performed using the search terms preterm, progesterone, and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. All relevant abstracts were reviewed.STUDY SELECTIONFor efficacy and safety data, the search was limited to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with the primary outcome of preterm delivery, fetal loss, or neonatal morbidity or mortality. Quality of the studies was assessed using the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines for reporting parallel-group randomized trials. Eleven articles were selected for review.DATA SYNTHESISPreterm birth, prior to 37 weeks' gestation, remains the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the US due to lack of treatment options. Recently, the use of progesterone to prevent preterm labor, deemed decades ago to be ineffective...
Profound hyperacute cardiac allograft rejection rescue with biventricular mechanical circulatory support and plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab therapy

Hyperacute rejection is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication after cardiac transplantation. We describe an unusual case of hyperacute rejection due to preformed anti-donor antibodies despite a negative preoperative panel-reactive antibody (PRA) screen. An excellent outcome was achieved in this case and our strategy involving the use of CentriMag ventricular assist devices (VADs) for biventricular support during treatment with rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasmapheresis is illustrated.
Comparison of charged particle multiplicities in quark and gluon jets produced in e+e- annihilation at 29 GeV

The charged particle multiplicities of the quark and gluon jets in the three-fold symmetric e+e− → qqg events at √s = 29 GeV have been studied using the high resolution spectrometer at PEP. A value of 〈n〉g = 6.7−2.1+1.1±1.0 for gluon jet s with an energy of 9.7−2.0+1.5 GeV is measured. The ratio, 〈n〉g/〈n〉q, is 1.29−0.41+0.21±0.20, which i s significantly lower than the value of 94 naively expected from the ration of the gluon-to-quark color charges.
High-frequency core-loss characteristics of biased Fe 79 B 16 Si 5 amorphous metallic-alloy tape-wound cores

The core-loss characteristics of biased magneto-elastically resonant tape-wound cores manufactured from METGLAS® alloy 2605S-3 (composition Fe 79 B 16 Si 5 ) are presented. These characteristics are measured under small-signal excitation (constant ΔB) over the frequency range from 10 kHz to 500 kHz using cores of three different sizes. Measurements of the impedance of the cores with windings are used to obtain the incremental relative permeability μ r over the same frequency range. Both core-loss data and permeability data indicate strong magnetomechanical coupling, with the measured core loss being about 100 times greater at resonance than normal losses due to hysteresis and eddy currents. The dominant mode of mechanical resonance is experimentally confirmed to be due to the fundamental extensional mode of vibration. Young's modulus E B for constant ΔB is calculated at different dc-bias levels from the resonant frequencies obtained using incremental relative permeability data, and is plotted as a function of bias level for the three core sizes.
Design of multiple-function long trace profiler

The long trace profiler (LTP) is a useful optical metrology instrument for measuring the figure and slope error of cylindrical aspheres commonly used as synchrotron radiation (SR) optics. A multiple-function LTP (LTP-MF) is developed at the optical metrology laboratories of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) with a goal of increasing the accuracy of the measurement and extending the range of applications to other areas. Characteristics of the LTP-MF are a very compact and lightweight optical head, a large angular test range (±16 mrad), and high accuracy. The LTP-MF can be used in various configurations: as a laboratory-based LTP, as an in situ LTP or penta-prism LTP, as an angle monitor, as a portable LTP, and as a small-radius-of-curvature test instrument. The system configuration, designs of the compact optical head and slide, and analysis of different measurements modes and systematic error correction methods are introduced. Preliminary comparison measurements between the LTP-MF and the LTP-II are presented.